Government kills off massive media company

Stuff reports:

Bauer Media Group has announced its intention to close its publishing business in New Zealand due to the severe economic impact of Covid-19.

The closure brings to an end many decades of publishing in New Zealand and affects all staff.

Bauer Media NZ publishes entertainment, lifestyle and current affairs titles including the NZ Listener, Woman’s Day, New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, North and South and Next, along with a digital network.

All New Zealand Bauer staff have been advised on Thursday morning that the business is no longer viable and that it intends to close. …

“Magazine publishing in New Zealand is currently suspended as part of the New Zealand Government’s decision to move to the Covid-19 level four restrictions.

This is a direct result of the Government deciding not to allow all media to keep operating, but only those they deemed essential. As I argued, all media is essential – especially in times of a national emergency.

The NZ Listener, Metro, and North and South have been massive contributors to journalism in New Zealand. They exposed wrongs, they held Governments to account and they were beloved by many readers.

If the Government had not banned them from continuing, they might have been able to survive. But when you’re banned, your revenue is zero.

Avery sad day for journalism in New Zealand to have so many great magazines now consigned to the scrap heap of history because the Government decided they weren’t essential and banned them from operating during the lockdown.