It looks like NZ’s last outlet for daily TV investigative journalism is going to be axed. TV3’s owners, Mediaworks, are allegedly focussing all their resources into propping up casual racism’s Paul Henry, who has been given the breakfast slot despite his proven history of failure. So far, Henry seems to think the role primarily entails trying to enhance the NZ National Party’s chances of surviving this term with John Key still as leader. As opposed to Henry sucking up to DunnoKeyo, Campbell has ten years of proving he’s on first name terms with real kiwis. Maybe that’s the problem. Is Campbell Live just too much reality for TV?
Dirty politics may also be a driver for Mediaworks. I’m sure they won’t have forgotten Communication Minister Steven Joyce’s generous decision to loan them $43 million against departmental advice. But, they will certainly say it’s all about ratings. While C Live has lost audience share, it is almost certainly going to get more eyeballs engaged than the purported alternative of Jono and Ben. No, really. That’s what’s being spruiked as a replacement. Two comedians. If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry.
The first of what I suspect may be many outpourings of outrage is here. And here. And here at Change.org.
Update: There are petitions to #savecampbelllive – here and here and here.
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