Deaf angry at threat facing News Review

Foundation for the Deaf executive officer Eileen McGee said news programmes and political broadcasts should be accessible to all New Zealanders as of right. She said it was not appropriate to fund News Review by sponsorship. But sponsorship could be used to help extend access to programmes through subtitling.

She said the Broadcasting Act said the commission should reflect and develop New Zealand’s identity and culture. “Deaf culture and language are part of New Zealand culture. This is so whether the media acknowledge it or not. News Review to date has been the only acknowledgement of New Zealand sign language in the media.

“A programme which deals with issues of relevance to the deaf cultural community has not yet been funded but there is as great a need for this as there is for programmes related to Maori and Pacific Island cultures.”

The Foundation for the Deaf wrote recently to TVNZ director general Julian Mounter requesting News Review be retained and fully funded by the Broadcasting Commission.