Restrictions on previously 'non-essential' media eased just a fraction

Tuesday, 31 March 2020

A 'very limited number' of community newspapers in more remote parts of New Zealand will now be allowed to resume publishing, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.

But Ardern closed the door to a broader exemption for community newspapers and printed magazines.

Ardern said the guidance on the definition of essential services would be expanded to include the 'targeted production of printed newspapers for communities that are hard to reach'.

That might include newspapers covering remote regions and potentially some non-English language publications, she said.

An exemption already exists classifying media companies NZME and Stuff as essential businesses and allowing them to publish their daily and Sunday newspapers.

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Community newspaper owners who wanted to be recognised as providing an essential service would need to demonstrate they met a need that would otherwise not be met, Ardern said.

They would also need to show they had appropriate health and safety measures in place to minimise the risk of spreading Covid-19 during their production and delivery.

That meant any non-daily newspapers that were classified as essential would be expected to be distributed 'for instance through existing mechanisms' such as the postal system, dairies and supermarkets, she said.

Taumarunui Bulletin editor Mark Ebrey said that if meant it could not use newspaper deliverers to distribute its print run of 4000 newspapers, he would probably not apply for an exemption and would just continue to publish online.

There was only one supermarket, three dairies and three service stations open in his catchment area, he said.

Ebrey said last week that the bulletin was the only source of local news for many people in its remote rural catchment.

The Free Speech Coalition said on Monday that it would seek a judicial review of the original decision by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage not to classify community newspapers and periodicals other than daily newspapers as 'essential'.

'Weekly and monthly publications like North and South, The Listener, and ethnic newspapers serve a vital role in the community's conscience and holding our leaders to account,' spokesman Jordan Williams said then.

Williams said the changed rules that had now been announced were a step in the right direction that addressed its 'most serious concerns'.

But he said Ardern 'seemed to make a distinction between 'news and views' which from a freedom of speech perspective is deeply concerning'.

The coalition would consult with its donors before deciding whether to push ahead with a judicial review, he said.

Ardern rejected 'accusations' that restrictions on publications were breaching freedom of speech.

That was not the Government's view or objective, she said.

'Now more than ever it is important that people have as much access to news as possible,' she said.

But she also said the health of the public and stopping the spread of Covid-19 was the Government's top priority.

Media outlets could continue to publish online, she said.

Ardern said she recognised media companies would be financially impacted by Covid-19.

'We continue to work with all businesses to cushion the blow and protect jobs,' she said.