Any move to allow advertising for junk food on Māori Television has been roundly condemned by a leading academic.
The suggestion surfaced recently that the channel was considering such a plan.
The Professor of Population Nutrition at Auckland University Boyd Swinburn said the idea was appalling.
He said it could lead to advertising similar to that in the United States, which targets African-Americans.
"I don't think we have seen that here yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if that comes if we have junk food marketing on Māori Television that specifically targets that group of children to get them to buy more junk food."
Professor Swinburn said Māori Television, which is mainly publicly-funded, should avoid any advertising that promotes unhealthy food.
Māori Television did not respond to Te Manu Korihi's request for comment.
