Lobbyist joins TVNZ board
Can his lobbying firm manage potential conflicts?
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Prominent Wellington lobbyist Barrie Saunders has joined the board of Television New Zealand, and said his firm Unsworth Saunders will forgo other media clients while he is a director.
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman announced the appointment in a press release this afternoon and said: "Barrie’s knowledge of New Zealand’s economic landscape is extensive and his business experience and ability to deal with a wide range of issues are good attributes for the board."
Industry observers have speculated on the potential for conflicts of interest given TVNZ has strong commercial rivals in MediaWorks and Sky.
Mr Saunders told the National Business Review the issue had come up during interviews for the position.
"Every time we take on a new client - and this is effectively a new client - they become the incumbent, and the incumbent trumps new clients. We will not be acting for any other media," he said.
Saunders Unsworth boasts of expertise in managing regulatory risk, potentially signaling a government shake-up of the state broadcaster in the next parliamentary term.
Mr Saunders has a history in radio a television journalism and also served as the first editor of the NBR when it commenced publishing in 1970.
Matt Nippert
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
Thu, 30 Jun 2011
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Lobbyist joins TVNZ board
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