If the Coalition govt is going to do anything to turn New Zealand from its seemingly unstoppable socialist/ communist trajectory it has to take on the far left rat’s nest that is the TV One Newsroom.

John Campbell and all of the other far left activists working for TV One, (the news arm of TVNZ) have every right to their own political opinions, and to personally support any political party they choose. They do not have the right to take over a taxpayer owned broadcasting facility and use it as a Chairman Mao type propaganda facility.

Here is a quote from Mr Campbell made just before launching into his current politically partisan crusade against the elected coalition govt-

“I know this is appearing on the website of a Crown entity company, and there are appropriate standards to be observed, and board members may be reading, and my mum, but what the actual fuck”

That statement alone should have been enough to get Campbell fired. If the TV One management was ever going to live up to the terms of its 2003 charter as a taxpayer owned broadcaster.

Old lefty Karl Du Fresne (somewhat reformed of late) has recently written a column decrying Campbell’s misuse of TV One as a partisan political platform. Its good but although he did highlight it, Mr Du Fresne should have made even more of the fact that TVNZ is a govt owned entity.

Apparently “Digital Editor” Veronica Schmidt is in charge of this kind of thing. She is not named but the NZ Herald quoted a “TV One spokeswoman” as responding to Du Fresne’s criticism thus-

“John’s pieces are… resonating with New Zealanders who agree or disagree with the perspective and driving huge digital audiences. Given du Fresne also engages in this style of reporting himself, the irony is not lost on us.”

The arrogance in this comment is staggering. It deliberately ignores the real point, which is government ownership. Mr Du Fresne writes on his own blog for chrissakes! Which he pays for himself. Campbell’s outlet is funded by you and I. On the condition it abides by its charter which says it must-

provide independent, comprehensive, impartial, and in-depth coverage and analysis of news and current affairs in New Zealand and throughout the world and of the activities of public and private institutions.

That TVNZ’s management allows John Campbell to write in such a partisan manner (when he publicly admits his breach himself) shows they regard their charter as something only worthy of contempt.

The coalition govt therefore has substantial grounds for making changes at TVNZ. Preferably getting the whole monstrously politically partisan edifice off the taxpayers hand’s completely by either selling it or closing it down.

Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee is probably thinking clearer on this than PM Luxon, but it is still unlikely they will do what should be done.

Someone though needs to grasp this nettle and deal with it. For the sake of what remains of NZ’s once pluralist democracy.

Note- TV One management claim that the broadcaster pays its own way, and therefore is not “taxpayer funded”. This is manifest nonsense. Without its govt allegiances, that provide it with cheap taxpayer funded programs through NZ on Air, and excuse it from the need to make a profit, and also provide it with millions of dollars worth of advertising, it would be broke in a week.