Direct action threat by TV producers

Press, 28 August 1979, Page 25

Direct action threat by TV producers

Television producers and directors might consider industrial action unless they receive certain guarantees for New Zealand-produced programmes. Most of the TVI and TV2 producers from the four main centres met in Wellington at the week-end to voice their displeasure at the Broadcasting Corporation’s plans for restructuring television. The meeting, the biggest so far of producers in this country, called for more New Zealand-produced programmes under the new system, and for increased television licence fees. These requests have been sent to the chairman of the corporation (Mr lan Cross) with a covering letter describing the size and “determined mood” of the meeting. Failing a satisfactory reply from Mr Cross, the producers will consider industrial action.

Three producers were chosen bv the meeting to represent its feeling. They are Dr Brian Edwards, Mr Tom Finlayson and Mr Tony Isaac. Mr Isaac, who is president of the Television Producers and Directors’ Association, said yesterday that industrial action was always a possibility in such matters, but it was to be hoped that it would never be necessary. “There has been a gradual groundswell among producers since the development of the restructured Television New Zealand, which comes into effect next February,” he said.

1 "Television producers are • becoming very worried ■ about the future of the me- > dium in New Zealand and at i the meeting were determined to do somthing about it. 1 In some ways, it looked as rif the new corporation ■ would be a return to “the > bad old days of early t N.Z.B.C. television,” with a ■ top-heavy bureaucracy, and ! too few locally-produced programmes, he said. t “We are worried that, > J under the new system, deci- : sions will be made by com- ■ mittees, production will be • stifled, and inertia will set ■ in. The loss of competition between the two channels i will mean the loss of a lot : of other things too.” I Mr Isaac said the meeting • felt that the professionalism •of producers was being . eroded. In a bid to restrain costs, • the corporation seemed inl tent on down-grading the status of producers, espe- ■ daily in current affairs, ■ information and sports programmes, by replacing them with less-qualified journalists, he said. The meeting also ex- • pressed grave concern at the , appointment of Mr Bruce Crossan as head of news, current affairs and sport. ; “This is an enormous con- : centration of power in the hands of one person and I offers unique opportunities for the abuse of that power land the exercise of political influence on news dissemination and analysis,” a I statement from the meeting 'said.

Mr Isaac emphasised that it was not the man (Mr Crossan) but the position itself, and all the power that went with it, that was of concern.

The producers agreed that an increase in television licence fees would solve many of the present problems. They wanted the rise to be tied to the Consumer Price Index. “We would hate to see New Zealand productions suffer as a result of restructuring. But more money is needed if these are to be budgeted for. Otherwise drama, entertainment and children's programmes are likely to suffer in favour of sports, news and current affairs,” he said.

Another aspect of the restructuring that had upset the producers was that the department heads apparently had already made up their minds about next year's programmes. “An announcement is likely this week, and the producers have not been consulted,” Mr Isaac said.

“Yet the ideas for programmes usually originate with producers. They have not even asked us our opinions on programmes being produced at present.” Mr Isaac said the meeting was called because of pressure from producers and directors, as well as from other sectors involved with television, such as Actors Equity, and the Musicians’ Union.