Editorial: Investment for a language

New Zealanders should hail another attempt to set up a Maori television service. It is probably vital to the survival of Maori language which, like any language, is more than it seems. Language is the key to understanding the way of thinking, the attitudes, manners, values, music and relationships of the people who use it. If all of us come to know Maori much better, this will be a richer society in every way.

In that event, the $176 million the Government intends to spend over four years would be one of the best investments the state has made. But that will depend on the organisation the Government has decided to invest in. Unfortunately, it seems non-existent.

The money will be given to a board, partly appointed by the Crown and partly by an electoral college of Maori organisations. Its legal status remains unclear. Maori object to the term "crown-owned", but whatever its classification it will have to be legally accountable to Parliament for the funds it will be given. The demise of Aotearoa Television underlines that.

The board will appoint the new channel's managers who in turn will decide its content. With $22 million a year from the taxpayer and whatever they can earn from advertising, they will be expected to provide at least three hours of original programming daily. It will go out on a dedicated channel to be transmitted by an established broadcaster yet to be chosen.

But one thing ought to be agreed now. All the material should be in bilingual form. If Maori is used with English subtitles, viewers Maori and Pakeha will begin to pick it up. Likewise, if English programmes carry Maori subtitles on the channel, written Maori will become more familiar. And programme-makers should not be discouraged from peppering Maori language with popular English terms. If linguistic purists scorn such concessions, they will have the channel to themselves and everyone will be the loser. Like everything else in this investment, it is up to Maori now.