Defamation claim settled

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34127, 13 April 1976, Page 2

Defamation claim settled

tIV.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 12. Settlement of a claim by the editor of the “Dominion,” Mr John Arnold Kelleher, against Television Services One (first defendant) and Dr Keith Ovenden, broadcaster, Christchurch (second defendant) for damages for alleged defamation was announced today in the Supreme Court, “The ‘Tonight’ programme of February 23, 1976, broadcast a report prepared by Dr Keith Ovenden on the way in which the editor of the ‘Dominion,’ the plaintiff in this case, along with editors of other newspapers, dealt with a Press Association report of a low flying aircraft at Papakura,” said an agreed statement read to the court by Mr Kelleher’s counsel, Mr J. B. Stevenson. “The broadcast suggested that those receiving the

broadcast could get some idea of the way editors chose to slant news and that editors had a long way to go in divesting themselves of the temptation to slant stories. “The broadcast also suggested that in the ‘Dominion’ the pilot’s previous flying experience was relegated to a lowly position. “The defendants are now satisfied that the ‘Dominion’ did not materially alter the report received by it and did not relegate the information about the pilot’s flying experience. “The defendants now accept that the editor of the ‘Dominion’ did not give any improper slant to the Association report and they accept that in reporting the news he has no tendency to give any improper slant. The defendants acknowledge that the allegations against the plaintiff were wrong and have apologised.” Mr Justice Beattie thanked counsel and the parties for resolving the matter. Mr C. R. Carruthers appeared for the first defendant and Mr M. A. Bungay for the second defendant.