Radio licence

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33480, 11 March 1974, Page 12

Radio licence

Sir, —1 was astoun led to read that the students in Auckland had been granted a broadcasting licence for three weeks to cover their festivities namesake Radio Bosom. At the time of the Commonwealth Games, Radio Rhema applied for a temporary licence to broadcast the Gospel but was flatly r efused by Mr Douglas, who claimed this would create a precedent and they would be inundated with similar requests Is Mr DvUglai more interested in bosoms than the Gospel, or are we living in a Sovietcontrolled State?—Yours etc., CHRISTIAN LISTENER. March 2, 1974.

[The Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Douglas) replies: “Under Section 87 of the Broadcasting Act, 1973, the Minister has power to grant authorisations permitting the operation of a broadcasting station for any period not exceeding 28 days. The purpose of this type of warrant was clearly stated by the previous Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Walker) in 1971. 1 quote: ‘The purpose of this amendment is to enable short-term transmissions to be made from trade-fairs, exhibitions, and the like, without the need for a formal hearing or the issue of a warrant.’ A short-term broadcasting authorisation was granted to Radio Bosom in Auckland and not to the Gospel Radio Fellowship in Christchurch because the proposals of Radio Bosom came within the intention of Section 87 of the Broadcasting Act 1973, whereas those •of the Gospel Radio Fellow* I ship went beyond the intended .scope of the legislation.”]