Politics Blog - April 29 - May 5
'I tried my very best', says axed media minister Melissa Lee
Former media minister Melissa Lee says she may have been slow to respond to crises impacting the media sector under her watch.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sacked Lee as media minister last week, and booted her from Cabinet.
Speaking for the first time since her demotion, Lee said she had been up against rigidness and delays in Government but had also, herself, been slow to respond.
"I was a little slow, but you know, what I can say is that I tried my very best," she said.
While media minister, state-owned TVNZ laid off a range of journalists and closed its flagship current affairs programme Sunday. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed plans to close essentially all of its local production, including its Newshub operation. Stuff will take a contract to produce a daily 6pm news show for TV3.
Lee said she was disappointed to lose the media role.
"I was disappointed, but that is a decision of the Prime Minister and I support his decision," she said.
"You know, I'm very passionate about media and communications."
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sacked Lee as media minister last week, and booted her from Cabinet.
Speaking for the first time since her demotion, Lee said she had been up against rigidness and delays in Government but had also, herself, been slow to respond.
"I was a little slow, but you know, what I can say is that I tried my very best," she said.
While media minister, state-owned TVNZ laid off a range of journalists and closed its flagship current affairs programme Sunday. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed plans to close essentially all of its local production, including its Newshub operation. Stuff will take a contract to produce a daily 6pm news show for TV3.
Lee said she was disappointed to lose the media role.
"I was disappointed, but that is a decision of the Prime Minister and I support his decision," she said.
"You know, I'm very passionate about media and communications."