Author: Gavin Ellis

Gavin Ellis is a media consultant, commentator and researcher. He holds a doctorate in political studies. A former editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Herald, he is the author of Trust Ownership and the Future of News: Media Moguls and White Knights (London, Palgrave) and Complacent Nation (Wellington, BWB Texts). His consultancy clients include media organisations and government ministries. His Tuesday Commentary on media matters appears weekly on his site www.whiteknightnews.com

TVNZ board needs expertise, not ideology

I am hoping beyond hope that speculation over changes to the Television New Zealand board are wide of the mark. I’m banking on the conjecture being a product of the mischievous side of Willie Jackson’s personality that keeps people guessing.

The Minister of Broadcasting and Media, in a recent interview with the New Zealand Herald’s editor-at-large Shayne Currie, made it clear he wants to see change and a much stronger commitment by the state-owned broadcaster to a “New Zealand identity”.

His interview with Currie left no doubt that changes to the TVNZ board, whose members come up for re-appointment or replacement on June 30, will be political appointments. Unlike commercial boards, where replacements are usually sought out by existing directors and confirmed (or rejected) by shareholders, it is Jackson’s office that is managing the process with both TVNZ and replacement directors at Radio New Zealand. Continue reading “TVNZ board needs expertise, not ideology” →

World Press freedom Index: Did well but could do better

Once again New Zealand has received the tick of approval in the latest World Press Freedom Index. Reporters Without Borders describes the country as perfecting its role as a regional press freedom model.

We sit at 13th out of 180 in the 2023 index. That is down two places on last year but is still well ahead of countries with which we are regularly compared – Canada (15), the United Kingdom (26) and Australia (27). In fairness, however, we should acknowledge that our cousins across the Tasman have gained 12 places.

The index scores countries on five distinct indicators: political context, legal framework, economic context, sociocultural context, and safety. The surveys are exhaustive. I know, because I was one of the New Zealanders surveyed. Country participants are asked between 12 and 33 questions in respective categories, and they are probing. Continue reading “World Press freedom Index: Did well but could do better” →

Media dimensions in sentencing the Christchurch mosque attacker

The final two parts of a New Zealand Law Journal paper on the planning around media coverage of the sentencing of Christchurch terrorist Brenton Harrison Tarrant can now be published here.

The study, which I co-authored with Dr Denis Muller of Melbourne University, examined the extensive efforts that went into preserving fair trial rights while preventing victims being retraumatised and the court becoming a stage for white supremacist rhetoric.

It found the efforts of the court, officials, experts, and the media were groundbreaking and offer valuable lessons for how the justice system and the media deal with violent extremists.

The first two parts have already been made available on the website but, for convenience, all four parts are set out below.

Justice, the media, and the Christchurch mosque terrorist Part 1

Justice, the media, and the Christchurch mosque terrorist Part 2

Justice, the media, and the Christchurch mosque terrorist Part 3

Justice, the media, and the Christchurch mosque terrorist Part 4

 

Stuff’s new paywalls send the right message to users

Stuff’s announcement that its three metropolitan mastheads will go behind a paywall should be welcomed with a loud sigh of relief.

Finally, the publisher has stopped pussy-footing around reader contributions. Although its voluntary Stuff Supporter Scheme (run through PressPatron) is still in place, it has bitten the bullet on straight-out digital subscriptions. It has made the right move.

From last Saturday, The Post (goodbye Dominion) and its metro sisters The Press and the Waikato Times became sequestered on individual, paywalled websites. For the first 16 weeks, subscribers pay $1.99 a week for one of the three sites or $2.99 for all three. After that discount period, the charge will be $5 a week (the same as the New Zealand Herald’s Premium Content) or $7.50 a week for all three.

I have opted for the bigger bundle on the basis that, if I believe we should pay to consume news that is costly to produce, I should put my money where my mouth is. I similarly paid up when the Herald introduced its premium content. It’s not a bad deal. The Australian’s digital subscription, for example, is $NZ8.50 a week.

It may sound strange that I gave a sigh of relief at having to part with some money but Stuff’s hold-out position on digital subscriptions had meant the public has been receiving mixed messages about paywalls. After Herald Premium was launched, NZME could be seen as Scrooge and free-to-all Stuff as Bruce Wayne (and his alter ego Batman). That misplaced confusion has now gone. Continue reading “Stuff’s new paywalls send the right message to users” →