A word from the Local News Team
Given the current politics and the heightened sensitivity of all involved at this time, there are some things that need to be made clear on behalf of my Local News team.
On Monday night, the 24th of July, Local News broadcast a political special featuring the QR’s speech, the statement of the Prime Minister Hon Jim Marurai, Hon Norman George, and Hon Sir Geoffrey Henry.
Since then, we have been questioned because of the lack of a Demo voice in the reports. The fact of the matter is that each person interviewed because of his role in the day’s events.
The Prime Minister advised the QR and he is the Leader of the country so we broadcast his statement in full. We did interview him afterwards but the issues raised in the interview were explained in the narration. The Queen’s Representative had his speech broadcast with text so that our viewers understood what was being said.
Sir Geoffrey was interviewed because he was ‘voted in’ as the next Prime Minister, in their meeting at Parliament. He was also refused entry into the residence of the Head of State so he could not be sworn in, hence the second interview.
Norman George was interviewed because he was the person who oversaw the meeting that happened in Parliament, after the QR had dissolved parliament. He is also the only person who clearly explained what the opposition planned to do next. So we broadcast that explanation also.
The national budget was not passed before the dissolution of parliament so Financial Secretary Kevin Carr was interviewed. The country has a right to know what money the government will be using.
If there was a lack of Demo voices, it was because they did not play an active role in the day’s events. And if they did, it was not as the Democratic Party, it was as the Government. Jim Marurai is the Head of the country and his voice was heard. The rest of the government went into ‘silent mode’ by shutting themselves up.
On Wednesday night, we featured the Acting Deputy Prime Minister as our lead story for over 4 minutes. It was his opportunity to respond to Monday’s events, followed by other people in our community.
People are extremely sensitive at this time and are questioning my ability as a News Director and that of my news team to provide unbiased reporting. I stand by the news that we provide, we try to get everyone involved to say their views. Sometimes people are unable to comment on the day the news item goes to air, yet we don’t always report that. Instead, we try to make sure they have the opportunity to speak the next day. The facts also remain that there are some people who turn their phones off, refuse to return phone calls and simply avoid us. So be it.
We do have opinions that must be prioritized, so while some won’t be aired on a certain night, it will eventually be aired if we feel it is relevant to the current issues. We need to determine what is important to the nation, not important to a mere handful of people. That is what news is.

Meitaki Maata e Kia Manuia,
Nanette Woonton

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