新西兰英语 463 TVNZ no longer has a charter

 　　In 2003, the Labour government voted for a charter¹ for TVNZ. In return for $15m a year, TVNZ had to provide programmes which showed New Zealand culture and way of life. The charter gave a list of things that TVNZ had to do. It had to show Maori culture, New Zealand films including documentaries², programmes for children and young people and programmes for minority interests like arts programmes.

　　Last week, the government voted to get rid of the charter. Now the $15m will go to New Zealand on Air. Any TV channel or film maker³ can apply for money to make a programme.

　　TVNZ still has to make a profit for the government, just as before. It is free to show any programmes it wants. Probably this means⁴ buying cheap American programmes like reality shows. 90 TVNZ staff have recently lost their jobs in an effort to save $25m because advertising⁵ does not bring in enough money these days.

　　The Labour Party said that this means the government is wanting to sell TVNZ in the future.

　　Questions

　　Did you know that TVNZ had this charter? Have they shown Maori culture, New Zealand films or programmes for minority interests? Have they shown New Zealand culture and way of life? Do you think there will be big changes?

1 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。

2 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

3 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

4 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

5 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。