Gang coverage criticised

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32587, 22 April 1971, Page 1

Gang coverage criticised

(New. Zealand Press Association) HASTINGS, April 21. The Minister of Broadcasting (Mr McCready) this afternoon criticised the N.Z.B.C. for highlighting teen-age gang clashes.

“The Broadcasting Corporation can be blamed to a very great degree for the publicity these youngsters get,” Mr McCready said in Hastings.

“Television is giving the impression that today’s youth is no good. . In fact, it’s as good as it ever was. “I would like to see the television cameras go into our universities, where students are studying night and day to become good citizens.” Mr McCready said the same applied to other young people working in apprenticeships. “But we never see this on our screens.

“But if some lout throws a bottle it is all there for everyone to see, and people say "Look at that, what’s wrong with young people’.” Mr McCready said he thought his views on this matter were shared by the vast majority of New Zealanders.

The chairman of the N.Z.B.C. (Major-General W. S. McKinnon) has expressed surprise at Mr McCready’s criticism of the television coverage of the Waikanae pop festival.

In a statement today he said the event attracted considerable public attention, and this had been reflected not only in television coverage but also in the press and the courts.

Major-General McKinnon said all responsible citizens would deplore the ill discipline of some sections of youth which led to these disturbances. But it was the absolute duty of the N.Z.B.C. to report their activities so that society could be fully aware that a serious problem existed in its midst. - Viewers were entitled. to expect from the N.Z.B.C. a full and frank treatment of events, whether the subject was agreeable or disagreeable, pleasant or unpleasant. In his view Mr McCready’s comments were unjustified, General McKinnon said. 1