Ocean Platform For TV Advertising

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30454, 30 May 1964, Page 13

Ocean Platform For TV Advertising

ROTTERDAM, May 29. A Dutch shipbuilder plans to put a pirate commercial television station into operation on an “artificial island” in the North Sea. Plans have been made for a floating platform to be placed between The Hague and Noordwyk outside territorial waters. The platform was built in Cork, Ireland, and was transported to Rotterdam 10 days ago. The possibility of commercial television broadcasting is now being reviewed by the Dutch Government which, under a bill recently introduced but not yet approved by the Parliament, could take action against the pirate. So far the Dutch have only one channel, which is devoted to non-commercial television. Some Dutch businessmen want to start commercial television or sponsor tele-

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

vision programmes without being hampered by government regulations. The Dutch have always advocated the freedom of the high seas, and as a small nation with great shipping interests they like to adhere to the sovereignty of the flag. International law against pirate ships would be welcomed, but suggestions to make it illegal for Dutch firms to advertise on ships which carry the flag of another nation have always been rejected. As far as an artificial island outside the territorial waters is concerned, no ship —and consequently no flag—is involved.

But a platform in the high seas is placed on some part of the Continental Shelf which, according to the Geneva Treaty of 1958, belongs to some country. This country, the Dutch say, has the right to impose its law on such islands.