Removal of TV crew explained

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33343, 29 September 1973, Page 1

Removal of TV crew explained

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 28. The Speaker of the House (Mr Whitehead) today explained in a statement why an N.Z.B.C. television crew was ordered to remove its camera from the vicinity of the office of the Minister of Labour (Mr Watt).

Mr Whitehead said he was concerned about the reaction of both the news media and the Opposition to a “simple instruction issued by my office.” “I am referring to the withdrawal of the privilege for a television team to operate within the corridors of Parliament Buildings,” he said. "In January of this year, an N.Z.B.C. press gallery representative wrote to me, seeking approval for carrying out film interviews in the corridors of Parliament Buildings with members of deputations calling on Ministers.

PERMISSION NEEDED “After consultation with me the applicant agreed that in all cases the approval of the Minister concerned would first be obtained. This undertaking was conveyed to me in a letter dated January 19, 1973.

“A few days later I replied approving of this arrangement, and repeating the proviso that attendance must be acceptable to the Minister concerned. “It is a matter of record that last week the Prime Minister asked a television camera team to leave corridors adjacent to his suite because no permission had been sought of him.

“It is also a matter of record that no permission was sought of Mr Watt yesterday. My office accordingly acted on my behalf and

requested the camera team to withdraw. The instruction was conveyed to the N.Z.B.C. press galfery representative by the Prime Minister’s press secretary.

“I would like to point out that he did, again with the approval of my office, offer the television camera team the use of a room in the building. This was accepted. “UPHEAVAL CAUSED” Mr Whitehead said he had been concerned about the upheaval caused by camera teams working in the corridors. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and himself had been seeking a room which could be made permanently available as a studio. “When this is provided I am sure it will be of mutual advantage to both the members of the House and the N.Z.8.C.,” Mr Whitehead said. “GAG” ALLEGED

Earlier, in Parliament, the Opposition had accused the Government of attempting to gag the news media in Parliament Buildings.

Three notices of motion criticised the Acting Prime Minister (Mr Watt) for the eviction of the camera crew from the corridor outside his office. The crew was there to film a deputation from the Federation of Labour which saw Mr Watt about the threatened freezing tradesmen’s stoppage. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Marshall) expressed the “gravest concern” about the two incidents.