Broadcasting policy points

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 1

Broadcasting policy points

r.Veto Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 30. Seven main points of Government broadcasting policy which will have to be considered by the recently-appointed Committee on Broadcasting were published today by the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Douglas). He said the committee » Administration. “The ad-

would be asked to prepare f a White Paper, draft legis- i lation, and to recommend a detailed plan for putting the seven points into prac- ' tice. The seven points are: Principle. The Government i ; wants to achieve a genuinely ; independent broadcasting service, combining the best principles of public ownership and competitive enterprise. The Government intends to replace the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation by two separate New Zealandwide television corporations, each with a colour capability and each based in a different centre, and one radio corporation. The Broadcasting Authority is to be replaced by an organisation which will provide the common services and supervise broadcasting standards as set out in the White Paper and legislation. Programmes. Mr Douglas! said that programming lay at the heart of the proposed I broadcasting changes. "Our • aim.” he said, "is to provide; a real choice of high-quality I programmes on both television and radio for the majority of New Zealanders, whilst satisfying the needs and rights of important minority groups." Mr Douglas said that an increasing range of New Zealand programmes would also be necessary. People. Mr Douglas said that the entire future of broadcasting ultimately depended on the people running it. “The Government feels that the new structure will attract, challenge, and hold talented people,” he said. Technical services. "The Government is anxious to avoid the needless duplication of the technical facilities for television and radio networks,” Mr Douglas said.

iministration of broadcasting; 1 should be as compact as possible. The Government is keen that programming and programme content should dominate the new structure.” Regional balance. The I policy provides for one television corporation providing a national network service and some regional services, with headquarters in Wellington, but assuming responsibility for production facilities in some other centres. There would be a second television corporation providing a national network service and some regional services with headquarters in Auckland but also assuming responsibility for production facilities in other centres. A separate radio corporation would control the national and regional radio stations at present operated by the N.Z.B.C. Finances. “With the proposed reorganisation, decisions need to be made as to I the allocation of existing N.Z.B.C. assets,” Mr Douglas • said. “The future financing of [both television and radio as 'separate entities also requires a clear policy on the (splitting of licence-fee revenue between the corporations and on the policy covering television advertising.” The Minister said that when the committee had prepared its plan for implementing the seven points, the next step would be to achieve a smooth change-over. The committee would therefore be asked to make ■ i recommendations on the . smoothest method of chang- , ing over to the new system ! without disruption, while pro- ' tecting the rights of the N.Z.B.C. staff. Terms-of-reference for the , committee, also published today by Mr Douglas, give the '•committee power to make [I any inquiry or investigation 'it may wish in whatever 'manner it chooses.

REPORTING DATE The committee is directed; to report back to the Min-; lister by July 31 this year or, |any later date specified by' I the Minister. It will not be permitted, in I the meantime, to publish or! disclose the contents of its! report or any information it; gathers. Members of the committee, I as previously announced, are; Professor Kenneth Adams. j ! Professor R. M. Chapman, Dr I J. L. Robson, and Lady' (Turner.