Christchurch Central seat

Press, 22 August 1979, Page 16

Christchurch Central seat

Sir, — You are right in naming our electoral system as a sufferer from the low poll in the Christchurch Central by-election. (“The Press” editorial. August 20). A major contribution to this situation must be the minimal coverage given the campaign by “The Press” and the news media generally. In spite of the abandonment of ris candidate by National, greater reporting and comment was justified by Labour’s intensive campaign, its top-calibre candidate, and Social Credit’s effort. For the first time in this electorate, Labour topped the poll at every polling booth, but “The Press” reporting of voting figures was restricted to one inch of hyper-fine print. Surely democracy justifies better reporting of this election, in the electorate in which “The Press” is produced. Can we expect moie detailed figures, and perhaps even some analysis, when special votes F ve been counted and final figures are available? —

Yours, etc., MURRAY ROBERTSON, Chairperson, Christchurch Central Labour Electorate Committee. August 20, 1979. Sir, — I wish to extend my appreciation to “The Press” for its fair and unbiased attitude during the Christchurch Central byelection. A free press is very desirable but a free and unbiased press is even more so, and the coverage of this , bv-election by “The Press” can be considered a true representation of both a free press, and the democratic process, in action. — Yours, etC " JOHN J. FORSTER. August 21, 1979.