An Al Jazeera news anchor and former TV3 journalist has joined a public campaign to save the Campbell Live show.
Kamahl Santamaria posted a video on YouTube urging the public to help keep the daily current affairs programme on air.
Campbell Live is under review by TV3's owner MediaWorks as it reviews the 7pm time slot to try to improve ratings.
Santamaria spoke about his time working with the broadcaster, which "made news for our viewers".
"Which is why the current talk about the demise of Campbell Live is so sad to hear," he said.
"The first person I ever met on the TV3 newsroom was John Campbell. I was 18-years-old, about to have my first job interview and John took the time to talk with me. I was obviously starstruck - he just wanted to help out and have a chat."
Santamaria said he had never forgotten Campbell's support.
"Which is why I'm throwing whatever support I can behind the Save Campbell Live campaign.
"New Zealand doesn't need another soap opera or reality tv programme at 7 o'clock every night, it needs strong honest journalism which holds people in power to account and never forgets the everyday person."
He urged the public to tweet, Facebook, sign petitions or write letters in support of the programme.
"Because John and his team have been helping others for years and now they need our help.
"I speak for no-one but myself in this message. I'm just someone helping out an old colleague and urging you to join me as well."
NZME.
