Media ‘relief’ at portfolio change
Commentators not surprised Lee axed as Media Minister
Two media commentators are welcoming Melissa Lee losing her role as Media and Communications Minister amid increasing speculation about what role the Government might play in addressing challenges in the media sector.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the surprise reshuffle yesterday, confirming Lee would be stripped of the portfolio and demoted from Cabinet. It comes after Lee struggled to front on industry issues, including the collapse of Newshub and cuts at TVNZ.
Paul Goldsmith will take on the Media and Communications portfolio. The reshuffle has also seen Penny Simmonds dropped as Disability Issues Minister, which Louise Upston will pick up.
Luxon yesterday claimed the decision to replace Lee had been made in light of the sector’s struggles and the need for a more senior minister to tackle them.
Newsroom co-founder and former Newshub head of news Mark Jennings believed those in the media would have breathed a “collective sigh of relief” at the news.
“I don’t think any of us thought that she has displayed any deep understanding of the issues and challenges facing us.
“We also were, I think, suspicious that she didn’t have enough clout at the Cabinet table, even if she was on top of that portfolio, to actually do much about it.”
Jennings was surprised by how quickly Luxon had acted.
“I thought there [would] be a Cabinet reshuffle down the track and she’ll get shuffled on, but bang, she’s gone.”
Goldsmith will take over with Luxon arguing it aligned with his Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio. Goldsmith was unable to comment as he was overseas but a spokesman from his office said the minister would be meeting with officials “as soon as possible”.
Jennings considered Goldsmith a good choice.
“I think he understands the media, I think he has a good relationship with the media.
“He’ll also have the respect of his Cabinet colleagues, so when he puts something forward that is likely to help or solve some of the issues that we’re currently facing, I think it’ll be taken seriously.”
Former TVNZ head of news and TV3 political editor Bill Ralston said Lee hadn’t inspired confidence within the industry.
“Right from the start of the first crisis with Newshub and then with the TVNZ cuts, she just looked like a possum caught the headlights, she didn’t know what to do.”
He referenced reports of Lee’s struggles getting a paper to Cabinet on what options the Government could explore with respect to the media industry as an example of her poor performance in the role.
Ralston felt the move made Luxon appear “strong and decisive”. He hoped Goldsmith would act quickly to relieve pressure in the sector, such as addressing the Kordia fees paid by TV broadcasters.
“It may well be that the pressure needs to go on the existing television funders out there, New Zealand On Air and people like that, to also start providing a wider range of material including news and current affairs, which they’ve always shied away from.”
Luxon said Lee was a “good, hardworking minister” who was doing a “phenomenal job” in her other portfolios such as Minister for Ethnic Communities.
However, he refrained from answering whether he thought Lee had done well in the media portfolio.
“This is really about the right people being on the right assignment at the right time,” Luxon said.
In a statement, Lee said supported the Prime Minister’s decision and looked forward to continuing her work in the Economic Development and Ethnic Communities portfolios.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the reshuffle showed the “wheels are falling off already”.
“They were never up to the task they were given, I think it was striking they were given those portfolios in the first place,” Hipkins said.
He said Simmonds had “made a hash” of her portfolio and new Disability Issues Minister Upston should apologise immediately to the disability community for Simmonds’ performance.
Remarks made by Simmonds about members of the community were “unjustified” and “unnecessary”.
“Melissa Lee’s invisibility during a crisis for the media and therefore a crisis for our democratic institutions has been absolutely baffling.”