新西兰英语 42 TVNZ Charter

　　This week the National Party made another statement about what they plan to do if they win the elections¹. They said they will keep TVNZ as public TV, but will get rid of the Charter² because it is not working.
The Charter was brought in by the Labour government in 2003 to try to make TVNZ produce more local programmes. Because our population is so small, we cannot afford free public television. TVNZ is owned by us, the people, but it has to be commercial. Most of its money comes from advertising³. Advertisers don’t want to waste their money on programmes with a small audience. This means that it is hard for TV to find money for documentaries⁴ or current affairs programmes. It is also cheaper to buy overseas programmes than to produce local ones.
The Charter says that TVNZ must make programmes that inform, entertain and educate New Zealand audiences. Programmes should encourage us to discuss ideas. They must show us experiences that help to form our national identity⁵. There should be local programmes that show New Zealanders, New Zealand history and our natural environment. They must promote Maori language and culture. All interests should be represented, including the interests of smaller audiences and minority groups. Our culture includes not only sports but also the arts so they should make programmes about the arts. Most importantly, the Charter says TVNZ must make quality programmes, and encourage creative experimenting in new programmes. The government provides $15 million every year for charter programmes but there is also $70 million New Zealand On Air money they can apply for.
The government is angry with TVNZ at the moment because they spent $5 million of this charter money on bringing us Olympic Games broadcasts and nearly $3 million on the Sunday programme. The Minister of Broadcasting, Mr Mallard, says this is not good use of the charter money and in future they will have to apply to New Zealand On Air for money. TVNZ needs to spend that money on quality programmes which show us New Zealand people, our culture and our environment.

1 elections   

n.选举，当选，推举( election的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Republicans got shellacked in the elections. 共和党在选举中一败涂地。
• He emerged victorious in the elections. 他在竞选中脱颖而出获得胜利。

2 charter   

n.特许状，执照，宪章；v.特许，发给特许执照

参考例句：

• This new law amounts to a tax evader's charter.这项新法律简直成了为逃税者开的许可证。
• We will charter a steamer to convey the goods.我们将租一艘船运送这批货物。

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

4 documentaries   

n.纪录片( documentary的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• As for 'documentaries', these too are not altogether new. 至于“资料性文学”那也并不完全是新鲜事。 来自辞典例句
• These are not just animations live-action films, comedies, dramas and documentaries. 这些不仅仅是动画片，还包括表演摄制影片，喜剧，戏剧以及纪录片。 来自互联网

5 identity   

n.身份，本体，特征；同一(性)，一致

参考例句：

• He never revealed his identity.他从未暴露过自己的身份。
• He showed his identity card and went in.他把工作证亮了一下就进去了。