Having given up on television as a sad source of boring journalism, cooking shows, wannabe top models and idols -  I made the digital switch and discovered TVNZ7. 

Wow, New Zealanders are an intelligent, highly creative and amazing bunch of people after all!

Sadly, I have now discovered that this ad-free channel packed with locally made thought-provoking, edifying and entertaining content is loosing its funding. It seems our Government has decided that New Zealanders are better off with Masterchef and the latest repeat series of some Yanky studio drama.

Frankly, it’s an insult to the talent of New Zealanders and the minds of our viewers. And it is a bad omen as we head into the age of digital TV where theoretically we should have more freedom in our free-to-air viewing – if there is enough diversity in quality and content to make it worthwhile…

TVNZ7 restored hope in me that television can be used as a medium for stimulating thought, debate, cultural pride and a sense of community – instead, it’s more likely to collapse into a commercial mash that serves to deliver profits and keep viewers uninformed, uninspired and generally numb.

What’s even sadder about the demise of TVNZ7 is that it recently launched a fantastic new online educational platform – the TVNZ learning hub. Now this is truly enlightened public broadcasting in the digital age, providing viewers with online resources through which they can further explore broadcast content and engage interactively.

One of the arguments behind Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman's decision to cut  TVNZ7 funding, it that it has low ratings compared to other channels.  But, I’d argue that this isn’t fair considering there is no promotion for TVNZ7 – there are no listing for TVNZ7 in The Listener or the newspapers. Why is that? 

I’ve joined the campaign to save TVNZ7, which is by a lobby of New Zealand academics and the NZ Screen Directors Guild - educated and creative people who see it as a valuable tool for a healthy democracy and informed society – as public broadcasting should be. 

While I can certainly see there are many important things our public money needs to be spent on right now – such as a private media sector bailout for MediaWorks -  I suggest the Honourable Dr Coleman put his plans on hold and review the purpose, the funding and regulations around New Zealand  television. It’s way too powerful a medium of communication not to.