CONTROL OF TV

Press, Volume C, Issue 29548, 24 June 1961, Page 9

CONTROL OF TV

Dean Sullivan’s Views To safeguard the standard of TV programmes there should be a completely independent commission, there should be no choice of programmes by advertisers, and qualified men should be brought from overseas to initiate the service, said the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. Sullivan), speaking on the use and abuse of television at a gathering of senior parishioners at St. Stephen’s Church. Shirley. Dean Sullivan said that TV had a greet effect on the lives of the family. It could be a boon to elderly persons and those who were shut in. provided they viewed with discrimination. ‘The switch to turn off the set is there to be used." he said, “and we must influence the choice of programmes." The programmes so far shown in New Zealand were □f a reasonable standard. Dean Sullivan said, but every effort should be made to gather the best of material, especially from England. “I trust that there will be full opportunity for controversial subjects to be aired on television, so that it can stimulate thought and interest hi the important events which face us in the future.” he said Churches must realise that television could be used as a great evangelistic medium, said Dean Sullivan. It might mean a change in the pattern of church life, with the morning service becoming more important, but it would also provide the church with even greater contact with the man in the street.