1 March 2024

Genocide: The word that RNZ cannot bring itself to say

The very first principle of Radio New Zealand Charter, states unequivocally that the purpose of our national broadcaster is to be “...an independent public service broadcaster…” and “to serve the public interest.” Unfortunately, this principle appears to have been abandoned in its coverage of Israel’s campaign of ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip that has ramped up since 7 October 2023. Time and time again RNZ has demonstrated that the word ‘genocide’ is a bridge-too-far, bringing into question its commitment to the public interest.