Media Minister Melissa Lee has copped a heated blast from Labour's Willie Jackson, as hundreds of journalists lose jobs in the closure of Newshub and axing of Sunday and Fair Go.
Asked to reply to the comments, a spokesperson for the minister said: "We won’t be dignifying this with a response."
Jackson, the former broadcasting minister under the previous Labour government, also said he was "disappointed" in the TVNZ board — which he himself helped appoint — for failing to stop more current affairs journalists from losing their jobs.
"I'm disappointed given the calibre of people who are on that board. As you know, they all have a very strong public media background," he told reporters.
"We appointed them because of their public media background but they seem to be a bit slow in terms of support — particularly for some of those workers on Sunday, Fair Go — these are iconic shows."
Media and Communications Minister Lee has taken on the portfolio as journalists weather a devastating start to the year.
Yesterday, Warner Bros Discovery confirmed plans to shut down Newshub. TVNZ shifted on its proposed cuts but confirmed it would end production of TV shows Sunday and Fair Go.
A small consumer current affairs presence would be retained at TVNZ, with a team of four continuing to produce stories — including under the Fair Go brand.
In response to reporter's questions about potential Government support, Lee said yesterday she had been working on a Cabinet paper. However, she refused to reveal any details about her plans, including whether it had been presented to ministers.
Speaking to media today, Jackson said the Government was "bereft of any ideas or strategies" about what to do about a sector in decline.
Gower says a third party could strike a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to save the 6pm news bulletin. (Source: Breakfast)
"You'd think the minister and this Government could do a bit more," he said. "We're not talking about a direct investment but you've got a prime minister who prides themselves on pulling business together.
"Why can't they mediate some sort of business deal? Why can't they facilitate a process?
"It seems like they're just bereft of any ideas or strategies whatsoever, I think it's shameful actually."
He added: "We wouldn't just give up as this Government has done.
"They've just totally given up and said, 'bad luck'.
"You've got a stupid minister who doesn't know what she's doing."
He said the Government could do more. "They don't have to just put their hands in their pocket. They can actually use their brains, but there's no brains here."
Jackson said the minister was "out of her depth".
Melissa Lee told Newstalk ZB this morning she wanted to help reform and modernise the Broadcasting Act. The minister added she also awaited the select committee findings for the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill.
"I'm hoping what the select committee brings back is a pathway forward," she said.
The legislation could help strong-arm the news industry in striking deals with Google and Facebook.
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