$50m relief package for New Zealand media industry

The New Zealand government has announced a relief package for the media industry totalling around $50m.

The overall package comprises the following series of initiatives:

• $21.1 million to completely cut transmission fees for six months
• $16.5 million to reduce, by 80%, media organisations’ NZ On Air content contribution fees for the 2020/21 financial year
• $1.3 million to purchase central government news media subscriptions in advance for the 2020/21 financial year and encouraging Crown entities to increase their uptake of news media subscriptions
• $11.1 million for specific targeted assistance to companies as and when needed
• Commitment to build on the Local Democracy Reporting pilot as part of longer term support

Minister of broadcasting, communications and digital media, Kris Faafoi, said: “This package is about freeing up cash in the short term to assist the industry get through the immediate crisis and dramatic drop in advertising revenue experienced since the start of COVID Alert Level 4.

“The proposals in this package were generated by the industry themselves in a recent series of workshops to identify means of delivering immediate support to the sector. We have chosen the proposals that have a relatively quick impact to get support out the door as fast as possible…

“…This support reflects the essential role media play at this time in delivering access to reliable and up to date news coverage and keeping New Zealanders connected while in lockdown...

“…However, I want to be very clear that this first phase of support alone will not be sufficient to see the sector through a prolonged period of restrictions and reduced advertising. A second package of support is being developed and will be submitted for the COVID-19 budget discussions in May.”