KidsNet 2004

Just a couple of days ago, when I announced my imminent departure to shores foreign, I also mentioned that I planned to be back and maybe pick up the old KidsNet flag again.

Of course, as soon as I even mention the remotest possibility of investing some time into something, sure enough, the universe conspires to give me more work to do. Radio NZ CEO Peter Cavanagh has announced that he's quite keen on the whole youth radio thing.

I didn't see the TV piece last night, but everyone I've ever met alerted me to it this morning.

So out comes KidsNet again. I've been lobbying that one on and off since May 2000. It is simple, obvious and The Best Thing That Could Happen To Radio In New Zealand From Everybody's Perspective.

In a nutshell, the argument is this:

Sure, it might be a good thing to have a non-commercial Youth Radio Network for teens - but that's not where the big gap is. There are over 60 radio stations in New Zealand that cater to that audience. There is, however, not a single radio station in the country given over to the 400,000 New Zealanders aged between 5 and 12 years old.

Like I said - simple, obvious and, in the words of Steven Joyce (former Radioworks boss, now CEO of the National Party), a clear case of market failure. It is the one area where you could do a lot of good (who better to hear 'Our Songs, Our Stories'?)- and with the exception of Brent Impey who is determined that NOBODY should have free frequencies for ANYTHING - I have been entirely unable to find anyone who thinks it's a bad idea.

The Minister of Broadcasting may recall this email campaign, and Marian Hobbs has in her collection several hundred drawings and letters from primary school students around the country.

Moreover, it's already written into law that we'll do this. Just check the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by New Zealand about a decade ago.

Article 13's my favourite bit:

1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.

If you happen to know Peter Cavanagh, who came into this late in the piece, I would be dearly grateful to you and to him if you were able to convince him to have a read of this post - and perhaps this FAQ.

Thanks.