The Big Tune-In Sit-In at Parliament for Radio NZ

Thursday 25 February marks the beginning of a series of protests around the country aimed at highlighting the upset and outrage caused by Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman's funding freeze on Radio New Zealand.

At lunchtime between 1-2pm (Thursday 25 February) people are encouraged to bring their portable radios to the Parliamentary grounds for a picnic and mass tune-in to RNZ National. This last minute action was  planned as the House is about to go into recess until mid March. Various MPs will be attending this event with similar events happening in Christchurch, outside the RNZ offices and in Auckland.

Those who can't attend the main centres are encouraged to turn their radios up really LOUD during the hour from 1-2pm (Afternoons with Jim Mora) to encourage discussion with friends, neighbours and colleagues about why they regularly listen to Radio New Zealand National and Concert FM.

Here is some further background information:

Save Radio  New Zealand Facebook site prompts nationwide protests in  support.

A Facebook  group, Save Radio New Zealand has attracted over 13,500 fans since its  creation one week ago, and is still growing rapidly.

The group was set  up last week after the Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman told Radio New Zealand's Board it had to deliver cost saving measures such as introducing  sponsorship or reducing its Auckland operation.  

The Save Radio  New Zealand Campaign founder Jake Quinn was astonished at the rapid growth the  social networking site attracted, noting there was immediate and widespread  support for Radio New Zealand from all parts of the country, as well as many  Kiwis with other nationalities, including many from Pacific Islands sending  their support from overseas.

“I saw media reports that Coleman was  putting the screws on Radio New Zealand, which, as a huge RNZ fan, really  irked me. So I went online and put the site up on Facebook. By morning there  were 300 fans, 1000 by close of the day, and since it’s sky-rocketed to over  13,500. There is no way the Government can ignore this shock and outrage."  

"Radio New Zealand is the last true provider of public service  broadcasting in this country. Coleman is talking about getting rid of FM  frequencies, closing regional offices, making advertising and sponsorship an  option for flagship shows. This is about the worst set of ideas I’ve ever  heard," said Quinn. "Judging by the comments left on Facebook, thousands of  people agree with me and they're willing to fight for their rights to listen  to their beloved noncommercial station."

“What’s more, I think he just  totally misread how Kiwis feel about their iconic state radio broadcaster.  Even with National party supporters these moves are unpopular. Across rural  New Zealand, in the city’s, among young and old, RNZ National and Concert FM  are a huge hit. Last year RNZ National won Radio Station of the Year at the  Radio Awards and its currently pulling in its highest listenership and that is  all with very minimal marketing and publicity."

Quinn has been  surprised at the variety of comments and at bloggers who have added their  support and are well informed about the facts. "Brian Rudman pointed out that  a KPMG review of RNZ funding in 2007 said the broadcaster was already on stale  bread rations, was understaffed and needed more than $10 million extra in  annual income."

There have been hundreds of other comments, including  from those who listen to Radio New Zealand National in the middle of the night  - and are very worried about the RNZ board's  suggestion it may have to  turn the station off between midnight and 6am to save money.  

Tomorrow lunchtime between 1-2pm (Thursday 25 February) the first  in a series of planned nationwide protests will begin in Wellington at  Parliament. People are encouraged to bring their portable radios and tune-in  to RNZ National's Afternoons with Jim Mora. This last minute action was  planned as the House is about to go into recess until mid March.  

"Even if there are only 100 people there, we want to show Coleman that New Zealander's love their state broadcaster. It's the lifeblood of our history, literature, music, arts, farming communities, sports commentary, comedy, drama, hear stunning documentary about life in New Zealand and so much  more. It's where we can celebrate ourselves and the people will not be silenced."

Those who can't make the protest action are encouraged to tune-in to RNZ National and play it really LOUD between 1-2pm to stimulate conversations with neighbours, friends and relatives about why they love hearing New Zealand on the nationwide broadcaster.  

There are  events also being held at the same time in Christchurch and Auckland. Check  Facebook events for further details.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Radio-New-Zealand/312651831782