Latest news with #FirstCall
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Appointments To The Broadcasting Standards Authority
Karyn Fenton-Ellis has been appointed to the Board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority and current member John Gillespie has been reappointed. The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is an independent Crown entity that receives and determines complaints from people dissatisfied with the outcome of complaints made to broadcasters about the standards on television and radio. The BSA also encourages the development and observance by broadcasters of codes of broadcasting practice appropriate to the type of broadcasting undertaken by them. "These appointments ensure a well-balanced board with an appropriate mix of skills and experience. The appointments are made by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister for Media and Communications, Hon Paul Goldsmith," says Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae. "Karyn Fenton-Ellis, of Waikato, has had a 26-year broadcasting career, with a particular focus on the racing industry. She received the NZTR Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the arts, and to racing. Ms Fenton-Ellis has been appointed as the public interest member on the Board. "Ms Fenton-Ellis provides strengths in strategic awareness and a high-level understanding of key stakeholder communications. She has a good understanding of Crown governance and has good knowledge of the sector and the role of the BSA. "John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years of sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020. Mr Gillespie holds the 'broadcasting industry' position on the board. "We would like to acknowledge and thank departing board member Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa'i for her contribution to the BSA. Tupe has been on the board since December 2021", Leauanae says The appointment for Ms Fenton-Ellis is until 31 May 2028 and Mr Gillespie's appointment is until 31 May 2029. Bios Karyn Fenton-Ellis Karyn Fenton-Ellis of Waikato is a licensed syndicator with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. She was one of the inaugural presenters for both TAB Trackside Television and TAB Trackside Radio. Ms Fenton-Ellis hosted the Retro, Weigh-In and First Call programmes, as well as being a studio presenter in a broadcasting career stretching 26 years. She co-hosted the Karaka Premier Sale television coverage for 10 years and was MC for the Horse of the Year Awards on many occasions. She was presented with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the Arts, and to racing. Ms Fenton-Ellis is a former World Chairman and President of Junior Chamber of Commerce International, former member of the Arts Council, trustee of the New Zealand Arts Foundation, and board member of the Christchurch Arts Festival. She won the World Public Speaking Contest in 1989 and was also the recipient of a rare Trinity College of London Exhibition Award. John Gillespie John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020 and also held roles as the Executive Producer of Fair Go and Head of News for Canterbury Television. Mr Gillespie has extensive knowledge of the broadcasting sector with a particular focus on news and current affairs. He has knowledge of the BSA and media law, and is committed to listening, learning and leading with courage, tenacity and a deep sense of values. Mr Gillespie holds the 'broadcasting industry' position on the board.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Advocates call on B.C. government to reinstate Family Benefit bonus
Child advocates are raising urgent concerns about the B.C government's decision to discontinue the Family Benefit bonus as of July 1. The now-cancelled bonus provided as much as $713 annually to low-income families with two children. The First Call Child and Youth Advocacy Society is calling on the province to re-instate the bonus. 'They're going back in time, putting more (families) – especially low-income families – in deeper poverty,' said executive director Adrienne Montani. The decision comes as many parents are struggling to make ends meet, Montani added. 'Families are facing extraordinary cost pressures,' she said, noting that the reduction in support comes 'just as children are out of school, and school meals and other services are unavailable.' In a statement, B.C.'s Ministry of Finance told CTV News the benefit was always means to be temporary, and was 'provided at a time when inflation and interest rates were especially high.' Montani said for the families in need of that extra support, 'nothing has changed.' 'Rent is still too high and costing them too much,' she said. 'Inflation may have slowed but that hasn't affected their food costs, their basic family expenses.' 'It's a week full of groceries' Among the parents eligible for the bonus was Prince George resident Meghan de Jong, a single mother with two children. 'Things like this may seem little to some people, but for someone like me it's a week full of groceries,' she said. 'From where I'm sitting, things are getting harder especially when you're trying to juggle the kids. They're telling us that our struggles are being overlooked.' While the Ministry of Finance noted families can still collect the normal Family Benefit, de Jong said it's just not enough. 'For people in my situation, who count every penny, it's a big cut,' she said.
