Broadcasting sets policy on leaders’ statements

Press, 28 August 1979, Page 1

Broadcasting sets policy on leaders’ statements

PA Wellington The Broadcasting Cor? poration has given approval for public statements from Government leaders on radio and television. Under procedures announced by the corporation’s chairman (Mr lan Cross) last evening, the Prime Minister or his deputy are given the right to decide whether a subject is sufficiently important to face the nation directly. The procedures are contained in a which was sent With a covering letter yesterday to the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Templeton), the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling), and the leader of the Social Credit League (Mr Beetham).

State of the nation addresses are common in the United States and Britain. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) broke new ground with the device in New Zealand when he announced the scrapping of the General Wage Orders

Act and an attendant general wage rise simultaneously on both television channels and on radio. He told a news conference that the Cabinet was happy with the terms. Mr Cross said the corporation thought a decision on whether a broadcast was warranted under the terms of the memorandum should be left to the Government. “We believe that public reaction will provide a safeguard against any misuse of the facilities provided by the corporation,” he said. The memorandum spells out that broadcasts will be for a maximum of 10 minutes and can be given by either the Prime Minister or a senior Cabinet Minister. It recognises that “in

view of its responsibilities, the Government of the day has the right to explain major events to the public, or seek the co-operation of the public, through the medium of broadcasting.” The statements will be transmitted on both television channels and one radio network. The Leader of the Opposition and leaders of other parties wilt be given the opportunity to reply. They must request this by noon the day after the Government broadcast. The Leader of the Opposition will be given 10 minutes, but minor parties will get only five minutes. The corporation will decide the time at which Government anouncements and Opposition Replies will be broadcast.

The procedures are. in the form of a “memorandum on broadcasts of political statements” which will be published as an appendix to the annual report of the corporation. “After examining the procedures and conditions applicable in a number of Western countries, including Britain, the United States and France, we decided that the system adopted by Westminster and the 8.8. C. provided the

most relevant reference for New Zealand conditions,” Mr Cross said, “Ours is a Westminster type Parliament, and t’ r B.C.N.Z. has much in common with the 8.8. C.” The corporation had recommended against embodying the procedures in the Broadcasting Act, and preferred to put them in the form of a memorandum which could be readily reviewed, and could spell out points in detail, avoiding the need for interpretation of legislation which might be disputed, Mr Cross said.