Editorial: Media should bite the hand that feeds it

Most employer contracts enforce that you protect the reputation of the people who pay you — but the media is the exception to this rule.  

Last week, Winston Peters threatened to cut funding to RNZ after being questioned about his new member's bill to define ‘men’ and ‘women’. In a tense interview with journalist Corin Dann, he brought up the Green party's opinion on the bill, inviting Peters to give his rebuttal.

Dann did not state the questions as his opinion, he was merely playing a journalist's role of devil's advocate. But Peters accused the journalist and media outlet of political bias.  

“The fact is you're paid for by the taxpayer and sooner or later, we're going to cut that water off too, because you're an abuse on the taxpayer. You're not hearing both sides of the story,” Peters said.  

Dann rejected his claims, saying it's his job to put up an argument. “We are fair and fierce with all who come on this programme.” 

Former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins called for Chris Luxon to stand up against Peters, saying ministers have expected standards when it comes to respecting the independence of entities like RNZ. However, Luxon declined.  

While we may not be a big dog like RNZ, we at Massive are familiar with comments like Peters’. The large majority understand our editorial independence, but every so often under articles where Massey University has received criticism, we get comments like...  

“All you do is rag on the people who pay you.” 

“You're a part of this institution, why are you speaking negatively about it?” 

“Why should they fund you... stop biting the hand that feeds you.” 

However, Massive (and most news media) are paid specifically to hold institutions to account — and no exceptions should be made for money.  

Most media aren't ragging on institutions just for the fun of it. When an issue is brought forward, not only would it be a disservice to ignore it, but it actually goes against what we are paid to do.  

A Massey spokesperson can back me up on this one, saying, “Massive operates with full editorial independence. This independence is critical, to ensure students are free to explore issues, express diverse perspectives, and engage with the world around them, including the university.” 

“Massey respects the important role student media plays in holding institutions, including the university, to account.” 

And regardless of this, Massive isn't technically paid for out of the university's pocket, it's paid for by students through the student services fee. A small 1.2% comes out of this fee for this publication.  

Just like students pay for Massive, the public pay for RNZ. Our job is to protect the public interest, not institutions.  

The Radio New Zealand Act guarantees the independence of the media company. By law and in practice, the Government or Parliament cannot directly intervene with what is published.  

Massive is a part of the NZ Media Council, as is RNZ, and their principles make it clear that freedom of the press should be protected. The principles read: “An independent press plays a vital role in a democracy.” It continues that guarding freedom of expression not only benefits the publisher, but more importantly the public interest.  

Media must bite the hand that feeds it — because public money demands public accountability.