Broadcast journalists resent Interference’

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 5

Broadcast journalists resent Interference’

'By

REN COATES

Radio and television ournalists in Christhurch are worried over »hat they see as politial attempts to interere with news services. A meeting of rhe Canter•ury region of the Associa•on of Broadcasting Journalsts on Friday deplored renarks by rhe Prime Minister .-!r Muldoon), "which threattn the jobs and independence if broadcasting journalists ” It resolved to take "the trongest possible action to sounter -uch interference.'' The journalists also detlored “the action of polij leans m attempting to interfere with the freedom of broadcasting news organisajons. "We are alarmed that the government should feel iourValists are obliged to gather lews on a *va!ne-fnr-monev

basis' rather than according to principles of freedom of speech and the right of the New Zealand public to be informed." the meeting resolved. The association will send copies <4 its resolutions to all members of Parliament. It will also write to the heads; of all three corporations asking them to lend their support to moves countering interference The concern stems from comments by Mr Muldoon at, his Mondav Cabinet press conference when he strongly criticised the standard and presentation of rhe news services run independently bv 1”\ I and TV2. He favoured a joint service. “We are not getting value for money.” said Mr Muldoon. "After nearly a year, the presentation of news is still not; improving.” The broadcasting journal-!

ists heard claims that the Prime Minister’s suggestions for restructuring the news services were directly linked with his disapproval of the wav in which news was; handled. They feared that the jobs of 'Some of them may be in jeopardy because politicians, found some news coverage politically embarrassing. What action the association could take in the face of further interference is diffi-: cult to envisage — apart! from making its views widely, l known and gaining publicsupport But the broadcasting journalists feel they should notface threats of political inter-; ference alone and are obvi-' ously looking to their directors-general for support