Today the government announced a $50 million bailout package for the media industry which has suffered under a loss of advertising amid the Covid-19 lockdown. The package includes scrapping transmission fees for broadcasters for six months and cutting New Zealand On Air levies.
There is also an $11 million fund set aside for targeted assistance to media companies. A number of media companies have cut wages and jobs or even shut up shop during the lockdown after a dramatic drop in revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The government says the mulitmillion dollar package is just stage one and more will be revealed in the Budget in May. Source
Is anyone surprised by the handouts? And will anyone be surprised when these companies become even more biased towards and flattering of Jacinda & Co. to keep the handouts coming?