New Zealand’s public broadcaster, Television New Zealand (TVNZ), is set to cut 60 staff members in response to ongoing media job losses in the country. The broadcaster cites tough economic conditions and structural challenges within the media sector as the reasons behind the decision. Around 35 of the job cuts will come from the news and current affairs division, highlighting the impact on journalism.
This news follows a series of job losses at major media companies in New Zealand. Warner Bros. Discovery, the owner of TV3, announced the closure of all news operations for their channel, NewsHub, resulting in the loss of approximately 300 jobs. Additionally, Stuff, a multimedia producer, recently shut down its video-based long-form documentary unit, further contributing to the media job losses in the country.
The exact details of the cuts at TVNZ are still unclear, but there are rumors that the team responsible for the channel’s investigative program, Sunday, has been called into a meeting with bosses. There is also speculation that the flagship 6 p.m. news bulletin could be reduced from an hour to 30 minutes. TVNZ chief executive, Jodi O’Donnell, described the upcoming day as “confronting” for staff as they are taken through the proposed changes.
The proposed cuts have been met with devastation from TVNZ’s Head of News, Phil O’Sullivan. He expressed his concern for those whose roles may be impacted and urged everyone to show respect and kindness towards those affected. The decision to reduce staff comes as TVNZ’s executive team has been focused on reducing operating costs over the past year. Ms. O’Donnell emphasized the need to bring costs in line with revenue and to transform the business to meet the needs of viewers in a digital world.
These job losses reflect the challenges faced by media organizations both locally and globally. Traditional advertising has declined, and media outlets are grappling with the changing landscape. However, ACT Party Leader David Seymour has criticized media outlets for asking for taxpayer support while reporting unfairly on politicians. He pointed out instances where TVNZ had made biased reports and accused journalists of promoting left-wing ideologies. Seymour’s comments highlight the tensions between media organizations and politicians.
TVNZ defended itself against Seymour’s accusations, stating that their reporters are simply doing their job by challenging politicians and policies across the political spectrum. They called for politicians to respect the independence of the media so that they can continue their work without interference.
The ongoing media job losses in New Zealand are indicative of the challenges facing the industry. As media organizations adapt to a digital world and grapple with economic pressures, job cuts have become inevitable. The impact on journalism is concerning, as newsrooms shrink and investigative programs face potential cutbacks. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect the media landscape in New Zealand and the quality of news coverage for the public.
