By LOUISA CLEAVE television editor
The Government wants more local programmes and deeper analysis of news issues included in a charter for Television New Zealand - but the quantity and how it will be funded will have to wait.
Broadcasting Minister Marian Hobbs said she wanted the charter completed by December, but working through quota levels and funding would take longer because she had limited staff.
The Government has agreed on objectives for a charter but the broad outline does not provide details of how it would pay for content which traditionally would not make commercial sense for TVNZ.
It wants a greater level of local content, especially in the area of children's television, drama, documentary and current affairs.
Mrs Hobbs said some current affairs programmes had been lightweight and she would like longer interviews and deeper analysis of issues.
Academic and former TVNZ executive Paul Norris said he would have expected key issues such as how a charter would impact on TVNZ's profits to have been addressed.
"I'm sure TVNZ would like to know how much of its dividend it is going to be able to spend on programming and, in fact, we should all know this."
Mrs Hobbs said TVNZ was investigating what money could be available for more programming.
"I've got a feeling working with [TVNZ chairman Ross Armstrong] that there is actually quite a lot more latitude in what we can do, and that is what we are exploring with new appointments to the board, actually going into the finances and seeing what is available."
Mrs Hobbs said she did not see the funding as "quite as much a problem as everyone else does."
She said the possibility of turning TVNZ from a state-owned enterprise into a non-profit Crown entity, like Radio New Zealand, was "on the table" but not an immediate issue.
Meanwhile, Dr Armstrong rejected criticism that the Government's broadcasting policy did not offer enough information.
"I wasn't expecting any more at that point because I see all the work is ahead."
The broadcasting policy paper sets out five guiding objectives:
* Ensuring all New Zealanders have reasonable and regular access to broadcasting representing the uniqueness and diversity of New Zealand life, recognising that histories and stories of whanau, hapu and iwi are integral to any description of that life;
* Meeting the information and entertainment needs of as many interests as reasonably possible, including those that cannot be met by commercial broadcasting;
* Contributing to public awareness of and participation in the political and social debates of the day;
* Providing for minority interests and increased choice;
* Encouraging innovation and creativity in broadcasting while aiming to continually increase audience satisfaction with the quality of the content.
Bruce Wallace, executive director of the Television Broadcasters Council, which represents free-to-air broadcasters, said it was appropriate that the Government had set general goals for broadcasting.
"There is no way we should be impatient about altering the television programming that a large number of New Zealanders enjoy every night."
TVNZ charter to feature news, local programmes
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