Independent TV station Alt TV is looking for a news anchor with no inhibitions to strip while reading the news for its planned late night Naked Newsflash.

The counter-culture TV channel, broadcast on Sky, has received extensive mainstream media coverage for its plan, which is being mooted as a stab at TV news driven by ratings instead of substance.

Alt TV creative director Oliver Driver told the media "if you can't beat them, join them."Independent TV station Alt TV is looking for a news anchor with no inhibitions to strip while reading the news for its planned late night Naked Newsflash.

The counter-culture TV channel, broadcast on Sky, has received extensive mainstream media coverage for its plan, which is being mooted as a stab at TV news driven by ratings instead of substance.

Alt TV creative director Oliver Driver told the media "if you can't beat them, join them."Driver joined the two-year-old station, based on Karangahape Rd in Auckland, late last year as shareholder and creative director.

The station started the search this week for an "inviting young women with the ability to speak clearly, articulately and confidently, are well-presented and comfortable in their own skin, to apply for a live audition."

The successful candidate will land a three-month newsreader contract, the cover of Brass magazine and a sponsorship deal with Marquis Condoms.

Applicants will need to send a topless photo along with their name, proof of age (must be 20), contact details, details, previous experience and a short blurb on why they would like to be the anchor of Naked News Flash to be considered for studio auditions in late April. To apply, email Imogen@alttv.co.nz

The announcement of the successful applicant and the first broadcast of Naked Newsflash is set for Monday April 28 at 10pm.

Although there may be critics saying objectification will overshadow news content, Oliver Driver reassures viewers that integrity will not be sacrificed for flesh.

"Naturally there will be a strong sense of newsworthiness on the show with highlights from the daily news. But there will of course be that little bit of titillation to draw in the viewer's attention."

Naked news shows are broadcast throughout the world including on Toronto based nakednews.com.

In 2005 TV2's Eating Media Lunch did a parody of a naked news bulletin and the Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled it 'breached good taste and decency.'

"It showed two partly dressed presenters who seemed to be having sex while reading the news. The sequence included an interview apparently with the French producer who contended that the items were presented in greater depth than on regular news as viewers watched the items more intently."

TVNZ at the time said "naked" news transmissions existed in some European countries, and the sequence broadcast on this occasion raised the question "how far down this track would the media go?"

25/03/08