Claims of inappropriate meeting between Broadcasting Minister and Stuff dismissed as “total rubbish” by publisher

The publisher of New Zealand's largest news outlet has dismissed claims of political interference ahead of a meeting where Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson is scheduled to speak.

Act Party Leader David Seymour released a statement this afternoon saying “we are hearing reports of a meeting held by Stuff with Willie Jackson to agree to a framework or principles for reporting on Treaty of Waitangi issues.

“It is too fantastic to be true. Jackson should deny the meeting is taking place or explain what it is about and how such a meeting is appropriate within the regulated period of an election campaign. Voters deserve to know.

“This Government has form when it comes to encouraging media to report its version of the Treaty. The $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund, for example, was only open to media who were willing to report Labour’s view of the Treaty.”

Chris Lynch Media asked Stuff publisher and Executive Chair Sinead Boucher whether or not Willie Jackson was meeting reporters discuss how to report treaty issues.

“It's a total load of rubbish. Completely untrue” Boucher said.

“As I gather, the minister is speaking for 10 minutes at the end of an industry training day and will be facing robust questioning on Government media policy.

“He will not be talking about the Treaty or how media should cover it. It would be entirely inappropriate for a Minister or anyone in government to instruct media how to cover any issue.

They would surely be torn to pieces by the journalists if they attempted it!”