A personal plea from Al Jazeera news presenter (and former TV3 journalist) Kamahl Santamaria to join the campaign to #SaveCampbellLive.

A presenter with one of the world's biggest news channels has declared his support for his "old colleague" John Campbell's current affairs show.

Kamahl Santamaria, a news anchor with Al-Jazeera, posted a video to YouTube on Monday advocating for Campbell Live to be saved from cancellation.

In the video he said John Campbell was the first person he met when he began his career at TV3 16 years ago.



ALSO READ:



*Campbell Live to be reviewed

*Higher ratings achieved as John Campbell lawyers up

*Campbell Live news provokes public outcry on social media



As an 18-year-old waiting for his first job interview, Santamaria was "star-struck" when Campbell took the time to talk to him.

"I've never forgotten that support he gave me, which is why I'm throwing whatever support I can behind the save Campbell Live campaign," he said.

"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 asked viewers to tweet, facebook, write letters and sign petitions to save the show.

"Do whatever you want or whatever you can, because John and his team have been helping others for years, and now they need our help," he said.

Campbell tweeted a response on Tuesday thanking Santamaria for his support, and saying he remembers their meeting well.

Campbell Live has been placed "under review" by Mediaworks following a steady decline in its ratings, prompting fears it is due to be axed in favour of more entertainment-oriented programming.