Veteran media expert dies

Media industry veteran Paul Norris has died today after battling a long illness.

Norris started his long career in the media industry in 1964 in England where he worked on the Sunday Express and later at the BBC, according to the NZ on Screen website.

He returned to New Zealand in 1987 to a role at TVNZ as the director of news and current affairs.

He was credited with pairing up newsreaders Judy Bailey and Richard Long, who fronted One News together for 15 years.

Norris was also behind the rise of Paul Holmes and had a hand in recruiting him, NZ on Screen said.

After about 10 years at TVNZ, Norris moved to the academic world, heading the NZ Broadcasting School in Canterbury, a role he stayed in for 16 years.

During that time and until recently, Norris has been a noted media commentator, writing about media ownership, media ethics and changes in public broadcasting, NZ on Screen said.

 

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