RADIO, TV AND ELECTION

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31187, 11 October 1966, Page 25

RADIO, TV AND ELECTION

Tramway Workers’ Protest li

The monthly meeting of the Christchurch Tramway Workers’ Union approved a statement “deploring the decision of the Government not to allow all parties contesting the General Election the same rights to expound their policy." The context of the statement was given to “The Press" after the meeting by the union's secretary (Mr L. C. J. Southon). “We note with concern that the sole right to use the radio and television is restricted to those parties approved by the Government,” said the statement. “We consider this a negation of democracy and in line with the actions of the Government of South Africa in barring certain parties the right to speak and also the right to take part in political affairs. “We would point out that article (19) of the Declaration of Human Rights provides that ‘everyone shall have the right to freedom of opinion and expression’.” The statement said that the union believed that the restriction was undemocratic and constituted a threat to the fundamental right of all parties to express their opinions freely, without fear, and in accordance with their political beliefs.