Double Vision: Election News Coverage on Mainstream and Indigenous Television in New Zealand

Double Vision:

Election News Coverage on Mainstream and Indigenous Television in New Zealand

1. Margie Comrie1

1. ¹Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

1. Margie Comrie, School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University, Private Bag 11,222 Palmerston North, New Zealand Email: m.a.comrie@massey.ac.nz

Source

 Published online before print April 23, 2012, doi: 10.1177/1940161212442955 The International Journal of Press/Politics July 2012 vol. 17 no. 3 275-293

Abstract

At a time when traditional media industries are searching for new models, the rapidly growing Indigenous media are gaining in confidence and influence. New Zealand’s Ma–ori Television Service (MTS) has been dubbed the country’s only real provider of public service television and has appeal far beyond a narrow target audience. An analysis of 2008 national election coverage shows that MTS, while focused on Ma–ori concerns, was closer to public service expectations on a number of measurements than the two mainstream prime-time news programs. The paper examines coverage on state-owned TVNZ, private channel TV, and MTS, aiming to throw light on the contribution that a different—indigenous—perspective can make. 

Keywords

• public service broadcasting
• indigenous media
• news media
• minority media