Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has questioned the independence of state broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ, saying the outgoing government bribed the media.
That $55 million Peters referred to there was the contestable Public Interest Journalism Fund, introduced by Labour Government in 2020 and administered by New Zealand On Air.
The fund came to an end in June this year. Winston Peters hasn't responded to our request for an interview - neither has his deputy Shane Jones.
RNZ's charter requires the broadcaster to be independent, including providing "reliable, independent, and freely accessible news and information".
Willie Jackson was the broadcasting minister for the previous government.
Jackson spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
