Summarised by Centrist
Is RNZ moving beyond its mission as New Zealand’s only public broadcaster? Some media insiders think so. RNZ has seen major funding increases and now covers everything from niche investigative stories to celebrity gossip.
Recent content, like P Diddy trial coverage, has left critics asking whether RNZ’s focus has shifted. It raises questions about what taxpayer money should be spent on.
RNZ’s CEO, Paul Thompson, defends their approach, saying they offer a “distinctive, advertising-free public media choice.” While he insists they prioritise public interest journalism, the reality is RNZ is pulling in more clicks with lifestyle and celebrity content. Critics like Duncan Greive argue these stories don’t fit RNZ’s traditional role and call them “empty calorie stories.”
RNZ has also raised eyebrows by spending around $70,000 on Facebook ads. Unlike commercial media, RNZ isn’t driven by ad revenue. But using taxpayer money for online ads has sparked concerns. Why is a publicly funded organisation competing with commercial news outlets?
Editor’s note: With the government as a competitor, it’s hard to see how private media can thrive. Amid the wave of shutdowns in New Zealand’s media industry lately, RNZ’s presence may be undermining private outlets by drawing consumers away from platforms that rely on advertising revenue to survive.
