Call for code of political ethics

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 2

Call for code of political ethics

PA Wellington All political parties have been asked to accept “a code of political ethics.”

The Social Credit League’s leader (Mr B. C. Beetham) speaking to league candidates in Wellington on Saturday, said he was concerned that “the real political issues” were continually [being diverted from electors’ [attention by “personality attacks of a kind and at a | level which at best can only be described as highly suspect.” Mr Beetham advocated establishment of a committee of senior and experienced members of all the Parliamentary parties. “I suggest the committee could well consist of Sir John Marshall (National), Dr Martyn Finlay (Labour), and Mr Vern Cracknell (Social Credit),” he said. Mr Beetham also appealed to the news media to refuse to participate in character attacks which were apparently designed for political advantage and which “cause pain and suffering to the family and person under attack.”

“It is a basic principle of British justice that a man is innocent until proved guilty. The media should not be prepared to speculate with,

bandy about, or publish allegations that a politician has a personality or moral weakness unless very well founded.”

Mr Beetham said that the news media as the Fourth Estate had a vital and necessary part to play in upholding political standards. “The news media have it in their power to neutralise the effectiveness of political character assassination by ignoring releases and statements designed for this end — from wherever they come,” Mr Beetham said.