Inertia and turbulence: television and innovation in New Zealand’s documentary production ecology

Date
2012
Authors
Jackson, A
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne
Abstract

Internationally, documentary content has been a key area of innovation and experimentation for public broadcasters and public funding bodies as television moves beyond broadcast and into online and multiplatform environments. This has not been the case in New Zealand where the production of an online or convergent television documentary has had little or no support from either the primary funding body (NZ On Air) or any broadcaster. This paper examines the factors that have slowed the adoption of new platforms and technologies in television documentary in New Zealand from a critical political economy perspective, with an emphasis on the unique conditions that have shaped New Zealand’s documentary production ecology. Through analysis of opportunities for innovation and barriers to participation in an emergent global new media ecology, this paper argues that a continued lack of investment in public service media significantly inhibits the development and wellbeing of New Zealand’s documentary production ecology.

Description
Keywords
New Zealand documentary , New Zealand television , Multiplatform documentary , Public service media , Media production ecology , Critical political economy , Critical production studies
Source
PLATFORM: Journal of Media and Communication, vol.4(1), pp.47 - 62
DOI
Rights statement
Platform: Journal of Media and Communication is an open-access online graduate publication. Founded and published by the Media and Communications Program, School of Culture and Communication, at The University of Melbourne, Platform was launched in November 2008.
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