Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the looming job cuts at broadcaster TVNZ are "incredibly unsettling" for those affected.
However, when asked about Minister David Seymour's recent criticism of TVNZ's news coverage of issues he said he would "not get into that".
The comments from Seymour are a potential breach of the TVNZ Act, which lays out the broadcaster's editorial independence.
Meanwhile, Broadcasting Minister Melissa Lee told reporters: "David Seymour has responsibility for his comments and you will have to ask him." But she later added that the media scrutiny "perhaps might have reminded him" of his ministerial obligations.
Lee said she would be speaking with Seymour.
Luxon spoke today at a media conference at the Basin Reserve where he had also announced, alongside three other ministers, a new bill that will fast-track consenting processes.
He said he genuinely felt for staff who may be affected by TVNZ's plans, with up to 68 jobs to be cut.
"Clearly all media companies here and around the world are wrestling with a changing media environment."
Melissa Lee said she was told about the broadcaster's restructuring announcement on Wednesday. (Source: 1News)
Luxon made the comments when being asked by a journalist about the appropriateness of Associate Finance Minister David Seymour criticising - on a number of occasions - TVNZ's coverage of issues.
As Associate Minister of Finance, Seymour is a shareholding minister in TVNZ.
The Television New Zealand Act lays in black and white the broadcaster's editorial independence from the Government, and specifically that no shareholding minister, or any minister, can give direction to TVNZ about its programmes, content or its newsgathering process.
Seymour had this morning criticised 1News senior political reporter Benedict Collins' coverage of Luxon claiming a $52,000 allowance from taxpayers while living in his mortgage-free Wellington apartment, as Premier House was unsuitable.
In 2023, before Seymour became a minister, he accused Collins of being a "B-grade" journalist when the latter began asking questions about ACT candidates during the election campaign.
On February 9, Seymour posted to social media about a TVNZ story on pseudoephedrine, saying "If you wanted balanced journalism on the Government’s policy of allowing the sale of cold medication containing pseudoephedrine, you wouldn’t have got it from 1News tonight".
He criticised TVNZ's choice of sources for the story - part of the newsgathering process.
On March 4, Seymour posted to social media criticising 1News' use of co-chair of Health Coalition Aotearoa, Professor Lisa Te Morenga, in a story.
He also criticised a political analysis from TVNZ chief correspondent John Campbell, specifically that Campbell was “quoting and linking to a left-wing blog that is promoting wealth tax-supporting David Parker for Labour leader".
When asked again about Seymour's comments and whether they were appropriate, Luxon said he "didn't see the comments" and continued to talk about how "unsettling" job cuts were at TVNZ, before adding he thought politicians of all parties got "unfair treatment" from the media, but that the media played an important part in democracy.
Asked for clarification on his position on whether a minister should criticise the newsgathering of the state broadcaster, he said he was "not going to get into that" as it was a "day where if you're sitting at TVNZ and you’ve heard that news, it's incredibly discombobulating".
Speaking at Parliament, Lee was questioned by a reporter if she would speak with Seymour about his responsibilities under the TVNZ Act and Cabinet Manual.
Lee responded: "He should know. He's a shareholding minister."
A reporter asked: "Do you think it's worth having a conversation with him?'
"Perhaps you might have reminded him," the minister responded. She was also asked whether it was Luxon's responsibility to speak to Seymour.
"I think it is my responsibility as minister of broadcasting to have a conversation with him, so I will. "
TVNZ responds
In a statement about Seymour's comments, a TVNZ spokesperson said: "We’re a commercial company that’s reliant on advertising revenue. We’re not government funded, and we haven’t asked for funding.
"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."
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