TVNZ has today published information about how its newsroom operates, as it focuses on transparency and inspiring trust in news.
The documents, published on 1News.co.nz, include editorial standards that require reporters to “ask tough questions of yourself before you ask them of anyone else” and to be aware of their own views on issues and then “work hard to set them aside”.
The standards also show reporters must have senior sign off to use hidden cameras or microphones and these covert news gathering techniques can only be used if it is in the public interest and the information can’t be obtained by any other means.
TVNZ’s Executive Editor, News, Phil O’Sullivan, said it was important to be transparent about how journalists work at a time when some people said they no longer trusted mainstream media. He said he was concerned that trust in media was falling and that some people were getting their news from social media platforms, where misinformation could circulate.
“But it's not enough to tell New Zealanders they can trust our reporting, we want to show them why they can trust it. That means sharing the standards and guidelines that we operate under and being really clear about what we do and don’t do.”
Phil O'Sullivan, TVNZ's Executive Editor, News (Source: TVNZ)
As part of the information release, a statement on generative AI has been published, showing TVNZ does not use AI to generate whole stories or images without disclosing it to the audience.
“Transparency is key,” it reads. “Should we ever generate an image or text solely using Generative AI we will let you know.”
It comes after RNZ revealed the New Zealand Herald, owned by NZME, had used AI to write an editorial. A disclosure that AI was used was added only after RNZ’s reporting.
NZME editor-in-chief Murray Kirkness said that AI was used in a way that fell short of its standards and "more journalistic rigour would have been beneficial".
The use of te reo Māori is also addressed in the documents. TVNZ, along with other broadcasters, has been frequently criticised for using te reo Māori on air, even after the Broadcasting Standards Authority announced in 2021 it would no longer hear complaints about its use.
The te reo Māori policy says TVNZ has a legislative requirement to reflect Māori perspectives. While there is no requirement to use te reo in broadcasts (other than on shows funded by Te Māngai Pāho), the news and current affairs team are encouraged to participate in lessons on offer so they are accurate with usage and pronunciation, the policy says.
“To ensure our audience can understand our reporting, regardless of the amount of te reo used, our style is a te reo word or phrase followed by the English translation. Eg. Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
“However, as these words or phrases become more and more normalised, we will look for opportunities to use the te reo word or phrase without the English language translation to confirm what te reo is saying.”
Te Karere, presented by Scotty Morrison, receives funding from Te Māngai Pāho. (Source: TVNZ)
Information about how news and current affairs is funded has also been published.
Most news shows and platforms produced by the TVNZ newsroom, including 1News at 6pm, Breakfast, Seven Sharp, and 1News.co.nz, are funded through advertising revenue.
Q+A receives funding from NZ on Air and Te Karere receives funding from Te Māngai Pāho. Youth brand Re: News has also successfully applied to have some specific pieces of content funded in contestable NZ on Air and Te Māngai Pāho funding rounds.
TVNZ’s news operation is often mistakenly thought to be government-funded, even by senior politicians.
O’Sullivan said it was important people understood TVNZ was editorially independent of the government, including on funded shows like Q+A and Te Karere.
“Editorial independence is enshrined in the Television New Zealand Act 2003 and it means Ministers can’t tell us what to report or how to report it. The public need to be sure we are reporting for their wider benefit and not the government of the time.”
Information explaining why comments are sometimes deleted or turned off on social media platforms has also been published.
It says the most common reason comments are turned off is that there is a risk they could break the law.
“We can’t allow potentially defamatory comments on our posts as legal action could be taken against both TVNZ, who owns 1News, and the comment poster.”
It also says sub-judice rules and contempt of court are considered when moderating comments.
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