United Future Policies
A Broadcasting System for all New Zealanders
United Future New Zealand is committed to a broadcasting and communications system that is inclusive, responsive and broad-based for all New Zealanders. Broadcasting is a comprehensive medium for promoting democracy and an essential social and cultural tool in preserving New Zealandís cultural and national identity.

Establish and foster a public broadcasting system that is inclusive, responsive and broad-based

Maintain Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand in public ownership, notwithstanding changes to their structure or operation

Establish a more secure funding base for public radio and television

Support a charter for both television and radio, especially to focus on multiculturalism, educational and information based programming balanced alongside ratings and commercial considerations (in the case of TV). We will work to ensure the charter has reasonable bi-partisan support.

Encourage more local and community programming through appropriate government support for regional programming initiatives, ensuring reasonable access to radio frequencies by radio operators and streamlining licensing

Overhauling the broadcasting complaints system by streamlining procedures and providing extra resourcing to ensure complaints are dealt with expeditiously and if need be before they cause further offence.
   Ensure a bi-partisan ten-year strategic plan is developed and agreed upon

   Unequivocally retain public ownership of Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand

   Examine remedial funding needs for both broadcasters and establish a more secure year-on, year-on funding base

   Support the charter concept for public radio and television

   Include a strong multi-cultural emphasis in the radio and television charter

   Encourage regional and community television initiatives

   Streamline the broadcasting complaints system

   Examine the feasibility of restoring free-to-air coverage of major sports and give greater priority to coverage of a range of sports rather than just traditional codes

   Remove legislative impediments and streamline the framework for rolling out new communications broadcasting technologies

Retain public ownership of Radio NZ and Television NZ

Bi-partisan ten year strategic plan

Support charter for public radio and television

Encourage regional and community initiatives

Streamline framework for new communication technologies

Streamline broadcasting complaints system