Posted 11/28/2023, 5:29:12 AM
Tense Cabinet Meeting as Peters Accuses Media of Bias Over Government Funding
- Tense start to first Cabinet meeting as Peters accuses media of taking bribes from previous government's $55M journalism fund
- Luxon tries to lighten mood with jokes about Cabinet confidentiality and round Beehive building
- Peters interjects as media leaves, demanding to know what journalists had to "sign up for" to get funding
- Tied to Peters' criticism of te reo Māori use and perceived lack of media independence
- Act leader Seymour acknowledges perceptions of distortion but says small proportion of media revenue means limited influence