Key Takeaways
- ACT leader David Seymour has publicly criticised RNZ and TVNZ, calling for leadership changes and questioning editorial decisions.
- Seymour specifically objected to RNZ’s hiring of John Campbell for Morning Report and suggested TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman should be removed after an alleged homophobic slur incident.
- RNZ’s outgoing board chair Jim Mather defended the broadcaster’s editorial independence, stating that ministerial comments do not influence hiring or content decisions.
- Seymour insists his remarks stay within legal bounds, arguing that the government can set broad expectations and hold public media accountable for audience trust and relevance.
- Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith echoed the need for financially sustainable, audience‑focused public broadcasting, while recent trust surveys show RNZ remains New Zealand’s most trusted news brand despite concerns about political interference.
Overview of Seymour’s Criticisms
David Seymour, the ACT Party leader and a shareholding minister for both Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and Television New Zealand (TVNZ), has intensified his public attacks on the country’s state broadcasters. In an interview on The Platform last week, Seymour lashed out at the organisations’ leadership and management, accusing them of poor judgement and political bias. His remarks signal a potential shift in how the government oversees these publicly funded entities, particularly through forthcoming board appointments that he claims will steer management in a new direction.
Seymour’s Objection to John Campbell’s Appointment
A focal point of Seymour’s critique was RNZ’s recent decision to appoint veteran journalist John Campbell to host the flagship Morning Report programme. Seymour argued that Campbell’s past columns—written while he worked for TVNZ in 2023 and describing coalition leaders as “empty of ideas”—made the hire “out of the question.” He implied that RNZ management, particularly its chief executive (whom he did not name but implicitly blamed), had acted irresponsibly by overlooking Campbell’s partisan commentary when selecting a high‑profile presenter.
Calls for Board and Management Change at RNZ
Beyond the Campbell appointment, Seymour suggested that the government is actively reshaping RNZ’s board to influence the broadcaster’s direction. He stated, “There’s a few more appointments to come… it’s really critical that we are ensuring that we get better people on the board, and those people will change the management.” This language indicates Seymour’s belief that board composition is a lever for altering editorial priorities, a stance that directly challenges the traditional arm’s‑length relationship between ministers and public media governance.
Accusations Directed at TVNZ
Seymour also turned his fire on TVNZ, accusing the network of being “politically motivated.” He singled out TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman, referencing an alleged incident in which she reportedly directed a homophobic slur at a colleague. Seymour contended that such behaviour undermines credibility, saying, “I’m sure that the board and management will be seeing that… it’s pretty difficult to have someone credibly fronting the news every night when everyone knows how she behaves.” While TVNZ declined to comment on the appropriateness of the remarks, Seymour’s statements suggest he expects personnel consequences stemming from the controversy.
Legal Framework Governing Ministerial Influence
The Broadcasting Act and the Crown Entities Act explicitly prohibit ministers from directing RNZ or TVNZ regarding specific programmes, allegations, complaints, or the gathering and presentation of news. Seymour acknowledged these limits, insisting that he has not issued any direction that would breach the legislation. He maintained that decisions about staffing, presenter line‑ups, and editorial matters remain the prerogative of the boards and management, not ministers, even while arguing that broader accountability is permissible.
RNZ’s Defence of Editorial Independence
In response, RNZ’s outgoing board chair Jim Mather issued a firm statement defending the broadcaster’s editorial autonomy. Mather declared that “editorial decisions, including appointments to senior editorial roles, are the sole responsibility of RNZ management and are made in accordance with journalistic merit, statutory obligations, and the well‑established public media convention of audience need.” He stressed that political views, ministerial commentary, or external pressure play no role in those decisions and warned that linking board changes to political perspectives risks eroding public trust in RNZ’s independence and journalistic integrity.
Seymour’s Rebuttal and Call for Accountability
Approached for comment, Seymour rejected the notion that his remarks overstepped legal boundaries. He argued that while he does not dictate specific editorial choices, the government retains the right to set broad, non‑editorial expectations and to hold public media accountable when they lose audience relevance or public confidence. Citing a 25 percent decline in RNZ National’s live radio audience since 2020, Seymour contended that RNZ should look to disengaged listeners for direction rather than to ministerial critique, framing his comments as a legitimate part of democratic oversight.
Government Position and Trust Survey Findings
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith echoed the need for RNZ to operate in a financially sustainable manner, measuring success by audience growth and trust levels—areas he noted have been low since the post‑COVID period. The latest AUT Trust in News survey reinforced RNZ’s standing as New Zealand’s most trusted news brand, ahead of the Otago Daily Times and TVNZ. However, the survey also revealed that 46 percent of respondents are extremely or very concerned about politicians publicly discrediting news, and 43 percent said their trust would decline if owners or boards interfered in editorial decisions, underscoring the tension Seymour’s comments have highlighted.
Seymour’s Past Remarks and Apparent Contradictions
Seymour’s current stance contrasts with his earlier statements in 2023, when he warned that ministers must be “absolutely critically cautious about even the perception of interfering with media” after former Cabinet minister Kiri Allan raised concerns about RNZ’s treatment of Māori staff. At that time, he warned that democratic erosion occurs through “a thousand little chips.” His recent advocacy for board changes and direct criticism of individual presenters appears to mark a shift from caution to a more assertive push for governmental influence over public media.
Implications for Public Broadcasting in New Zealand
The ongoing exchange between Seymour and RNZ/TVNZ raises fundamental questions about the balance between governmental oversight and editorial independence in New Zealand’s public broadcasting sector. While Seymour insists his actions remain within legal bounds and serve to enhance accountability, RNZ’s leadership warns that any perception of political interference threatens the credibility and trust that underpin the broadcasters’ public‑service mission. As the government proceeds with board appointments and as audience metrics continue to fluctuate, the sector will need to navigate these pressures carefully to preserve both its independence and its relevance to New Zealanders.