Political Radio Time Allocations Critised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31206, 2 November 1966, Page 10

Political Radio Time Allocations Critised

Dissatisfaction with the arrangements made for the candidates of the different political parties to appear on radio and television has been expressed by the Canterbury Council for Civil Liberties in a letter to the Director-Gene-ral of the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation. The letter stated:— “Our council, at a recent committee meeting, has discussed the question of partypolitical broadcasts during the election period. “After studying what policy announcements you have made it appear to us that in all programmes only three parties, National. Labour and Social Credit will be represented by candidates. “We consider that this policy is both undemocratic and unimaginative. While, undoubtedly, these three parties have gathered in the past, and are Hable to gather in the forthcoming election, the overwhelming majority of votes, this does not mean that listeners and viewers should remain uninformed about the viewpoint of smaller parties and independent candidates. “We would suggest, therefore, that, at least in local broadcasts, all candidates who present themselves to the voters should be allowed, and indeed expected to appear before radio and television. Any other policy, in our minds.

exposes the New Zealand • Broadcasting Corporation to I the charge of less than satisfactory respect for free discussion in particular and thus civil liberties in general. “It would be greatly appreciated if you could give this proposition your very earnest consideration, since it is a matter of important principle.”