RNZ owes explanation, says MP

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson and chairman Jim Mather should come back to a select committee to ‘‘explain themselves’’, in light of fresh revelations about their handling of Concert FM, National Party broadcasting spokeswoman Melissa Lee says.

Thompson told Parliament’s economic development, science and innovation select committee in February that the Culture and Heritage Ministry had given RNZ a clear steer it would not be likely to get an additional FM frequency.

That extra frequency – since granted by the Government to ‘‘save’’ Concert – would have allowed RNZ to launch its new youth music service while also keeping Concert on FM.

But documents released under the Official Information Act on Tuesday show RNZ already planned in October to switch Concert off FM and to lay off 18 staff before it concluded talks with the ministry on the possibility of getting the extra FM slot at 102FM.

Minutes of an RNZ meeting, dated October 2, stated the plan was to: ‘‘Turn off Concert on FM and start the new thing’’ between March and July this year.

Emails released under the OIA show Thompson went on to tell ministry official Colin Holden on November 7 that RNZ ‘‘didn’t need’’ an extra FM radio slot in order to launch its planned new youth music service, although he expressed interest in exploring the option.

RNZ spokeswoman Charlotte McLaughlan said RNZ had a discussion with the ministry on November 13 about ‘‘the practicalities of accessing the spectrum and after weighing up the likelihood of it being released, RNZ decided to progress a plan that would not require it’’. Because that discussion was verbal it was not documented, she said.

Culture and Heritage Ministry chief executive Bernadette Cavanagh has repeatedly declined to confirm the ministry gave the steer that Thompson and Mather referred to in their select committee appearance in February.