I don't think so. I think they just got momentarily confused.

Because they will remember that 'public' means that it belongs to us. Its a service that we are paying for along with our rights to water, education and roads.

We just need to remind them that it is much the same as using our taxes to fund the Police to enforce security and safety and standards of conduct in the community - we pay for RadioNZ to present impartial, high quality content that reinforces our identity as New Zealanders and supports the democratic process. We would be outraged to see our local constable wearing a uniform with 'NIKE - Just do it' across the back or driving cars that say "POLICE -BROUGHT TO YOU BY HARVEY NORMANS".

Or would we? Maybe I am out of touch with my fellow kiwis. Maybe that's a small price to pay to have a little extra in the bank each week to pay off the hire purchase on the plasma TV.

My fellow New Zealanders - without impartial media, we do not have democracy. Running RNZ as a competitive commercial entity just doesn't work. TVNZ dropping Key's address to the nation speech in favour of the All Black ass-grope segment on the news is case-in-point.

If its a matter of shelving tax cuts in favour of quality content on TV and Radio then I'm committed to that. I appreciate that it is a hard time to govern when there is a recession on - and it seems irresponsible to give tax cuts. We need to all pitch in to preserve what we hold dear, in perpetuity.

We own it. Its more important to protect than is immediately evident. Our very democracy is at stake. Its worth a fight to maintain. Are you in?