Prior to the implementation of the TVNZ Charter in 2003, the Churches’ Broadcasting Commission (an ecumenical body which was recently disbanded) made a submission on the proposed Charter to a Parliamentary Select Committee.  It called for parliament to include programming that acknowledged and reflected the spiritual dimension of life. The reasoning was that spirituality per se was a reality of life.   It argued that the majority of New Zealanders professed a religious affiliation, and that most people had some kind of moral compass and value system regardless of religious beliefs.  It seemed for a time that this recommendation might be incorporated into the Charter.  Sadly, it was not.

However, the Charter did acknowledge that programming should contribute to intellectual, scientific and cultural development, and promote wide and informed debate and critical thinking.  It was committed to providing understanding of the diversity of our cultures and particularly to promote Maori language, concerns and culture.  It is debatable whether that actually happened to any great extent, but it imposed a degree of responsibility on TVNZ at least to pay lip service to the ideals of the Charter.

Sadly, this latest move to repeal the Charter means that TVNZ will have no such responsibility and become, as one media commentator put it, a mere “cash cow” for the government and “a mass market entertainer” no different from its local rivals whose main objective is to generate as much income as possible. Perhaps one should make an exception of Maori Television, whose programmes do so often recognise the spiritual and cultural dimensions of our society.

Art and beauty, regardless of specific religious beliefs, are a path towards the transcendent. This point was made very compellingly in an address which Pope Benedict gave recently to a gathering of the world’s artists – people of different faiths – who were invited to meet with him in the Sistine Chapel.  He spoke of the need for a return of spirituality in art in a world lacking in hope with increasing signs of aggression and despair.

It is clear that there is an increasing interest today, especially among younger people to explore the deep and meaningful issues of life.  Once we no longer have a responsible public broadcaster in TVNZ that teases out these issues in its programming, our taxes will support just another populist broadcaster that seeks to provide for the lowest possible standard of popular taste and opinion.

This is something we should all think and pray about, and discern how we might raise our voices and mobilise our resources.

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