工党广播事务发言人 克莱尔•卡伦（Clare Curran）

TVNZ对理查德•龙（Richard Long）的任命表面上看来很风光，但此君和国家党的联系可能会令人感到有政治因素的介入。

理查德•龙曾于2003年到2005年期间在比尔•英格里希和Don Brash的国家党领袖办公室任首席顾问。

一方面，这位老练的记者有足够资历来担任这个工作。但另一方面，我想新西兰人会对于媒体在任何层面上有可能受到政治干预感到担忧。

公众必须能信赖媒体的独立性――一个独立的媒体愿意、也能够无所畏惧、不带倾向地（不管政府立场是什么）探讨问题。作为国家传播机构，TVNZ更经不起对于政治介入的指控。

聘任约翰基选区的党支部主席Steven McElrea到”空中纽西兰”（New Zealand on Air）以及他随后的一系列行动，对于国人及新西兰政府都应当是一个教训。

Steven McElrea 对于Bryan Bruce所摄关于儿童贫穷问题的纪录片作出的抱怨清楚显示出他无法将自己的政治观点和他的专业职责分开。

我相信理查德•龙会做得好些，在他的新岗位上保持政治立场的不偏不倚。（霍建强议员办公室供稿）

Clare CURRAN
Broadcasting Spokesperson                      
9 November 2012                                                       MEDIA STATEMENT

 
Media must be seen to be free from political interference
 
The appointment of Richard Long to the board of TVNZ might look good on paper but his links to the National Party could create the perception of political interference, says Clare Curran.
 
Richard Long was Chief of Staff in the National Leader’s office to Bill English and Don Brash from 2003-2005.
 
“At one level, the veteran journalist has all the qualifications for the job.  But I think Kiwis are wary of even the perception of political influence at any level of our media organisations.
 
“The public must be able to rely on an independent media that is willing and able to discuss the issues of the day without fear or favour - regardless of the Government’s view.  As a state broadcaster, TVNZ is particularly vulnerable to accusations of political interference.
 
“The appointment of Stephen McElrea, John Key’s electorate party chairperson to the board of New Zealand on Air, and his subsequent actions, should be a lesson to New Zealanders and the Government.
 
“Stephen McElrea clearly demonstrated by his complaint about Bryan Bruce’s Child Poverty documentary that he is unable to separate his political views from the responsibilities of his position.
 
“I trust that Richard Long will do better than that, and maintain political neutrality in his new role,” says Clare Curran.