Media bias questioned as PM to host RadioLive show

UPDATED:  RadioLive general manager Jana Rangooni said the radio show was for the Prime Minister and thus available to anyone in that role.

"We fully understand our responsibilities as a broadcaster and the rules around election advertising and programmes - this is neither."

She said when the station looked at political policy and election issues it would involve all those with speaking parts including Clare Curran.

"We are confident confident that, overall, our election coverage and commentary is and will be balanced and objective and compliant with all legal requirements."

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No, he's not kissing babies yet but the Prime Minister will host a one-hour radio show on MediaWorks' RadioLive tomorrow. It must be election time.

The show is set for 2pm and guests will include Sir Richard Branson and Richie McCaw.

RadioLive general manager Jana Rangooni said the station hoped to make it an annual event for whoever was Prime Minister at the time.

“This has been done in the UK and US but not, to the best of my knowledge, in New Zealand.”

Labour MP Claire Curran said if a radio spot with prominent guests had not been offered to other party leaders, it was a questionable move for a major media outlet.

'The fact that we're so close to an election, we're not in a formal election period but we may as well be, I think that it's very questionable."

She said having the captain of the All Blacks on the show with the prime minister was also questionable.

"We're entering an election campaign and I think that all the media outlets have to be very careful about how they're managing their media coverage."

She said it was "convenient" for the prime minister that the radio show occurred outside the formal election period.

Ms Curran said the fact that RadioLive had reportedly asked for non-political questions from listeners during the show was aimed at showing the Prime Minister in the best possible light.

"What better publicity could you get, being on a show wth the captain of the All Blacks in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup?"

The Prime Minister's office suggested NBR contact Mediaworks for comment, "as they invited the Prime Minister to take part and organised his slot on the show."

NBR is seeking comment from Mediaworks.