“SAFEGUARDS THERE”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31206, 2 November 1966, Page 1

“SAFEGUARDS THERE”

New Broadcast Authoritv (New Zealand Prtsi Aftociahon? AUCKLAND, November 1. The independent broadcasting authority promised in the National Party’s election policy would be more impartial and have more independence than the N.Z.8.C., the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Scott) said today. But he admitted the authority would come under Government control under the same terms that the N.Z.B.C. did.

Mr Scott was asked how independent the new authority could be when it must comply with the general policy of the Government and any general or special directions given by the Minister in writing. “All the safeguards are there,” he said. “After all, the N.Z.B.C. must accept directions in writing from the Government as regards matters of policy. “If any direction is given, the N.Z.B.C. is entitled to publish it. “I can’t give too much detail on how the Government

might use its powers—it could be based on the current economic situation." Mr Scott said the new authority would have the power to decide when a second television channel could be introduced. “I don’t want you to cloud the issue—that is just an example,” he said. Saying he saw no comparison between the proposed authority and the N.Z.8.C., Mr Scott added: “Everything the N.Z.B.C. has got now is licensed, but when the time comes for a second channel the corporation will have to apply just like anyone else."