A reply from TVNZ
TVNZ on Monday replied to my letter of complaint re Corkery. Rather usefully they replied by e-mail to a snail mail letter so I can quote the letter below.
Most of the reply is the standard response from the show’s producer. The covering note comments that Corkery has parted company with TVNZ, stating this is not directly connected to this matter. I may be reading too much into it, but that suggests an indirect connection.
Dear David
Thank you for your letter of 15 September which has been passed to me. I have taken the liberty of responding by e-mail to reduce delay.
Your concern over Ms Corkery’s comments in an ad lib exchange with 1ZB reflects your deep concern at the content and context of the remarks she made.
There were several similar complaints to us. I thus requested a reply from her Producer. I attach it below.
“I am writing in response to your comments regarding Pam Corkery’s ‘phone-out’ interview with Larry Williams on Newstalk ZB on the 11th of September.
I would like to start by pointing out that as fellow veteran broadcasters, Larry and Pam have known each other for some time and one result of that familiarity is, some of their conversations do tend to take on a more informal note than is perhaps appropriate.
Having said that, I appreciate that her comments regarding the young American (Mr Petrocelli) being sent back to his family part by part were not in the best taste.
Given that, I would like to apologise unreservedly for the distress the
comments caused you. Pam has a reputation as a broadcaster who regularly ‘pushes the envelope’, however on this occasion she clearly overstepped the mark.”
Yours Sincerely
Greg Boyed
Executive Producer
Although not directly connected to this matter, you will be aware that Ms Corkery has recently parted company with TVNZ and her programme is
not on air.
Thank you for your letter. I can assure you that both the TVNZ CEO and
Bill Ralston, Head of News are keen to raise the bar in matters such as
this
Mike Farman
News and Current Affairs