‘Tour facts distorted’

Press, 8 December 1976, Page 1

‘Tour facts distorted’

PA Auckland The New Zealand news media were accused yesterday of distorting the facts on the South African rugby tour issue. The charge was made by the chairman of the Auckland Rugby Football Union (Mr Ron Don) in an address to Newmarket Rotarians. He said the “news media.” especially the newsrooms of Radio New Zealand, TVI, and TV2 had soread the “myth” that the All Black tour to South Africa and the

Olympic walk-out by black nations were matters of world importance. “The news media bombarded this country for about a year, saying how the All Blacks and South Africa issue, and the withdrawal of black countries from the Games, were matters of world importance,” said Mr Don. “They tell us that world opinion is against us. I would say that is a lot of nonsense and rubbish.” During the rugby tour he met people in various countries and talked to them about the South African tour and the Olvmnic walk-out. Only two or three knew

that the walk-out had something to do with New Zealand. Their attitude — a broadminded one, said Mr Don — was one of “who cares, anyway?” “News reports can be, and often are. as biased as the opinions of the persons making the reports. “There is no doubt in my mind that radio and television in this country give far too much time and exposure to tiny, minority groups.” These groups, he said, were speaking for “handfuls.” Single rugby clubs in New Zealand had more members 4 -’-— Citizens Association for Racial Equality.