It has reiterated that the review identified only \u201cminor\u201d issues and \u201cno evidence of systemic bias or lack of impartiality in 1News\u2019 reporting”.<\/p>\n
Publicly-owned TVNZ is refusing to release the actual report – either routinely or under the Official Information Act – and says it has agreed to release further details today after discussions with the Ombudsman\u2019s Office following a NZ Herald complaint.<\/p>\n
TVNZ has now added five more points to an executive summary that it wrote itself, summarising the review by former ABC Australia and SBS executive Alan Sunderland.<\/p>\n
Sunderland monitored TVNZ\u2019s news coverage over the course of a week.<\/p>\n
The first of five \u201careas of discussion\u201d as identified by Sunderland and outlined by TVNZ today, was around ensuring the \u201cwidest possible diversity of perspectives\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer identified two stories where he considered that TVNZ could have explored a wider diversity of views on the topic at issue,\u201d said TVNZ.<\/p>\n
It has not provided any specific details.<\/p>\n
The second area for discussion was \u201cconsidering the nature of TVNZ\u2019s audience and that of the wider community when determining appropriate perspectives to ensure impartiality\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer identified one story where he would have liked to have seen TVNZ\u2019s coverage examine the impact of the issue on different communities within New Zealand,\u201d said TVNZ, again without providing the specific story.<\/p>\n
The third area was \u201cmissed opportunities for deeper coverage of key issues\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer identified that there were one or two stories across the course of the week which the reviewer described as \u2018underdone in the circumstances\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer noted that \u2018this will always be the case in any week – big breaking news or competing editorial priorities will push issues down the daily agenda, and resources are inevitable [sic] limited, lead [sic] to tough choices\u2019. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer discussed three stories where he considered there could have been deeper coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n
TVNZ did not say what the stories were about.<\/p>\n
The fourth point was the role of presenters and \u201censuring impartiality and a clear distinction between fact and opinion\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer identified this as an issue for discussion rather than criticism. The reviewer noted that presenters should be aware of the impartiality standard if an issue is significant or controversial.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reviewer noted that this issue did not arise in the shows reviewed but wanted to note it as something for TVNZ to keep in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n
TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman presents the results of a political poll on TVNZ’s 6pm news in April 2024. This particular report generated several hundred complaints to TVNZ – both it and the Broadcasting Standards Authority said the report was fine.<\/p>\n
Finally, TVNZ highlighted a fifth, technical and timing point. \u201cThe reviewer identified the risks with carrying out a pre-recorded interview on a developing and significant story.\u201d<\/p>\n
The updated summary comes as TVNZ ends 2025 and looks forward to a new year with a revamped line-up of news presenters and other hosts.<\/p>\n
Melissa Stokes has replaced Simon Dallow as the 6pm weekday (Sunday-Thursday) newsreader and Jack Tame now fills the role on Fridays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n
While not strictly a news presenting role, Tova O\u2019Brien was announced earlier today as the new co-host of Breakfast.<\/a><\/p>\n A TVNZ spokeswoman said today: \u201cTVNZ\u2019s OIA [Official Information Act] team have let me know that the Ombudsman has reached a determination on your request to receive a full copy of the Sunderland Review.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Ombudsman has agreed that there are privacy, commercial sensitivity and free and frank discussion withholding grounds, but we\u2019ve agreed with the Ombudsman to add five additional points into the executive summary.\u201d<\/p>\n The Herald was advised of the Ombudsman\u2019s draft decision earlier today and has until December 23 to appeal.<\/p>\n Earlier, TVNZ said the review was conducted remotely and Sunderland did not approach editorial staff or TVNZ management \u201cto seek input, advice or explanations for any editorial choices\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe review only considered and assessed the news content as published\/broadcast, from the perspective of an average, reasonable viewer, listener or reader.\u201d<\/p>\n The broadcaster released three extracts from the review, which it described as \u201ckey\u201d:<\/p>\n \u201cThe story selection and the treatment of those stories demonstrate sound news values and a firm commitment to the editorial principles of the organisation, including a commitment to impartiality. I identified no major stories run by other mainstream news organisations that were ignored, underplayed or overplayed by TVNZ in its coverage.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a whole, the stories I reviewed were accurate and properly contextualised, and where the issues were controversial and\/or of significant public importance, care was generally taken to ensure all relevant viewpoints were appropriately represented. I did not see evidence of any personal, sectional or organisational interests improperly influencing the news reporting, nor did I see any evidence of opinion and facts being confused with each other.<\/p>\n \u201cFinally, I did not consider that any particular perspectives in stories were favoured over others. Inevitably, when looking closely at a week\u2019s coverage of a range of significant stories, I have identified some areas worthy of discussion. In some cases, those areas for discussion represent potential minor breaches, risk areas to note or suggestions for potential improvement. In other cases, they are simply matters to consider when looking at best practice in managing editorial performance and ensuring impartiality and diversity of perspectives.\u201d<\/p>\n TVNZ said it was pleased with the findings.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, the Government told TVNZ it expected it \u201cto play a stronger role as a national broadcaster, strengthening its own performance in earning trust\u201d.<\/p>\n The review comes in a year when politicians have become a lot more direct in their targeting of media who they don\u2019t think give them a fair go – recent examples include NZ First leader Winston Peters with RNZ\u2019s Corin Dann<\/a> and Labour leader Chris Hipkins with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n