Radio job given up

Press, 12 May 1980, Page 1

Radio job given up

The South Island spokesman for Social Credit, Mr Eamon O’Connor, has resigned as a part-time radio (“stringer” for Radio New Zealand in Westport after receiving an ultimatum that he relinquish his political appointment or give up his job with broadcasting. .■' ’ •-/ The station manager of Radio New ’ Zealand at Greymouth . (Mr F. J. Jacobs) said yesterday that all staff, particularly in news, were. required to- be impartial, .or to be.seen to be impartial. . .

Mr O’Connor had been making ■ statements bn political matters while ■he - had - been working as . a stringer for Radio New Zealand—he was not being seen to be impartial. The Westport reporter of “The Press” said the ultimatum came as a result of a statement by Mr O’Connor, and circulated by the Press Association, criticising the recent South Island Promotion Association conference at Westport, resulting: in a. complaint by the association to Radio New Zealand. . Mr O’Connor said he had no hesitation in deciding to remain as a Social Credit spokesman because in the Social .Credit movement he had the chance of doing much more useful .work for the West Coast,, the South Island, and New Zealand.