Maiki Sherman was a political hit job to sow chaos before privatising TVNZ
The campaign against Maiki Sherman was never just about one journalist. It’s part of a broader political strategy to undermine public broadcasting, intimidate the media and soften up public resistance before any future move to privatise TVNZ.
Coalition parties ramp up criticism of media
The relationship between politicians and the media is symbiotic, but it’s increasingly coming under pressure as political parties turn to other platforms, and evade traditional newsrooms, to speak direct to voters.
The three parties making up the coalition – National, ACT and NZ First – have ramped up their commentary and criticism of the media this term, whilst also jostling for political differentiation in the lead-up to the election.
RNZ has taken a look at the swipes and threats over the past term.
RNZ
Maiki Sherman became the target before the election campaign even began
Let’s be very clear, hounding the political editor of the State Broadcaster out of her job six months before the election via a toxic right wing troll like Ani O’Brien is a political hit job to sow chaos before privatising TVNZ.
Former TVNZ Sunday host Miriama Kamo has questioned the support the state broadcaster provided to its now departed political editor, Maiki Sherman.
Kamo – who spent 22 years herself at TVNZ, before the closure of Sunday in 2024 – said Sherman was the latest in a long line of Māori broadcasters to leave the company.
“Despite all the challenges I navigated at TVNZ, I had a great career there,” Kamo wrote on social media on Mother’s Day, two days after Sherman announced her resignation from TVNZ.
“But as I look back, it feels like the hard work laid down by so many to make it a place where Māori can bring their whole selves is being decimated.
“It’s devastating to see.”
RNZ
Attack the media first so nobody trusts the scrutiny later
Timed with David Seymour’s extraordinary attack on John Campbell, this is a trick straight out of Trump’s playbook.
Winston has endlessly attacked NZ media with the lie that Jacinda bribed the mainstream media and Luxon refuses to go on Tova because he’s useless.
The Government are focused on attacking the media so the media can’t hold them to account.
Who will ACT sell TVNZ to? Alt-right Canadian Billionaire Jim Grenon?
Attacking the Fourth Estate so as to stop it from reporting on you is a Trumpian tactic that we should decry, not celebrate.
Funny you speculate Jim Grenon as TVNz in light of the exit of a big player like Warner Discovery would I think be unsellable to any party outside of NZ. Interest would be poor, but could they also package with RNZ too?
Who would bother buying TVNZ? It’s dying as fast as its elderly audience.