David Seymour blasts TVNZ reporter, TVNZ hits back

TVNZ has hit back at Act Party leader David Seymour, asking politicians to respect its editorial independence after Seymour attacked the media industry – and singled out TVNZ political reporter Benedict Collins’ coverage of Christopher Luxon’s accommodation allowance.

Seymour spoke with Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking following criticism of his proposed public sector cuts.

But the conversation shifted when Hosking asked Seymour whether the current state of the media, including the looming closure of Newshub and expected job cuts at TVNZ, was their own fault.

“That’s not quite true, the media landscape is changing,” Seymour said, detailing how advertisers aren’t spending as much money through media.

But Seymour implied it was hypocritical for the media to ask the Government for help for the industry while at the same time criticising politicians and celebrating slip-ups.

“But it’s also true, I saw a report on 1News, Benedict Collins grinning down the camera about Chris Luxon’s apartment costs.

“These are the people that cry, ‘Oh you’ve got to give us sympathy, and you’re inhumane and you should be kinder to us’.”

Seymour is one of two shareholding ministers of TVNZ, as associate minister for finance. TVNZ’s editorial independence as a Crown entity is protected under the Television New Zealand Act. It is the third time in two days that Seymour has singled out 1News articles for comment or criticism.

In response to Seymour’s comments, a spokesperson for TVNZ defended Collins and asked politicians to “respect the independence” of the media.

“David Seymour has singled out 1News reporter Benedict Collins for doing his job – that is, challenging politicians and policies across the political spectrum on behalf of New Zealanders.

“We are not asking for sympathy, but are asking for our politicians to respect the independence of our media so they can get on with their work.

“We’re a commercial company that’s reliant on advertising revenue. We’re not government-funded, and we haven’t asked for funding.”

The Television New Zealand Act stipulates TVNZ’s editorial independence from the Government, saying no shareholding minister, or any minister, can give a direction to TVNZ in respect of its programmes, content, or any complaints about its content, or “the gathering or presentation of news or the preparation or presentation of any current affairs programme or content”.

Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee said Seymour was responsible for answering to his own comments, but said people were free to express an opinion and she was not across the detail of his comments.

However, she said shareholding ministers had a responsibility not to give instruction to the media they were shareholders in – and pointed to former Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson commenting on journalists’ work when he was broadcasting minister.

Pressed on whether Seymour was in breach of that responsibility, she said it was possible Seymour had been talking in his capacity as an MP rather than as a minister.

After it was pointed out that the Cabinet Manual makes it clear ministers must act appropriately, no matter what hat they might be wearing at any given time – be it as a minister, a normal MP, or in a personal capacity, Lee said she would discuss it with Seymour.

Earlier in the week, Seymour had posted some previous social media comments about him made by the co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, Professor Lisa Te Morenga, and noted: “@1NewsNZ was shown this before it ran a story at 6pm quoting [the HCA], but chose not to inform its viewers.”

He then also noted that TVNZ’s columnist, John Campbell, was “quoting and linking to a left-wing blog that is promoting wealth tax-supporting David Parker for Labour leader.”

His comments come the same day as TVNZ signalled dozens of job cuts and possible changes to some of its biggest news and current affairs programmes.

This morning the broadcaster said more than 60 jobs – more than half in the newsroom and others in the broader operation – would be cut. That number represents almost 10 per cent of the state broadcaster’s 700-strong workforce.

“But they have spent years celebrating and dancing at every slip that a politician makes, competing to get scalps as they call them,” said Seymour.

“And all of a sudden they say, ‘but oh when we have a bad day you’ve got to be kind to us’.

“I think it shows their delightful lack of self-awareness and immaturity.”

Seymour has implied it is hypocritical for the media to ask the Government for money while criticising them. Photo / Dean Purcell

Discussions around media funding and support have skyrocketed after it was revealed up to 300 jobs are expected to be lost as Newshub is set to close at the end of June.

Seymour also noted that some media outlets’ technology and format were dated.

“And yes, I do think that is a big part of the problem, the technology is changing.

“There’s also the problem of the ... product that they’re delivering through that technology.”