TV head denies distortion in spinal injury programme

Press, 18 June 1980, Page 44

TV head denies distortion in spinal injury programme

PA Wellington The head of Current Affairs at Television New Zealand does not regard the New Zealand Rugby Football Union members’ objections to a programme on spinal injuries as valid. Mr Graeme Wilson said yesterday that the programme had been made as an objective look at what the N.Z.R.F.U. itself regards as a problem. The film, seen on “Close Up” bn June 8 was earlier criticised by N.Z.R.F.U. members, Mr Tom John-.... son and the chairman, Mr Ces Blazey. Mr Johnson claimed that the film cleverly distorted the problem of cervical injuries. “As as parent and a rugby administrator, I was

absolutely incensed at the highly emotive nature of the implications,” said Mr Johnson. “It cleverly distorted the entire problem and glossed over the facts established in the highly authoritative report we had prepared by experts.” Mr Wilson denied the claim by the N.Z.R.F.U. members. He said that the programme had been made in consultation with two highly experienced orthopaedic surgeons. “It was a difficult subject. We were at pains to handle it with fairness and accuracy,” said Mr Wilson. Mr Wilson noted that the former All Black captain, Tane Norton, was reported as saying in “The Press” on Saturday that

he thought the programme fair and objective and that it served to confirm views he already held. Norton said that the solution to spinal injuries was for the referees to insist that the two front rows go down first and then the locks attach themselves. This would ensure that the hookers were not squeezed into unnatural positions when impact was made. It was, said Norton, a simple solution and he wondered if the people who had made the film, or the N.Z.R.U., had ever thought to ask props and hookers for their views. Mr Wilson also denied allegations by Mr Blazey and Mr Johnson that the programme was “tasteless.” The two were re-

ferring to the lowering of a coffin into a grave towards the end of the programme.

According to Mr Wilson the lowering of the coffin signified that the subject was a strong one and that death was part of the story. The N.Z.R.F.U. members’ reactions were a “subjective review of part of the programme,” he said.

The N.Z.R.F.U. members also accused the programme of distortion because spinal injuries from rugby make up a small proportion of all spinal injuries.

Mr Wilson answered that he did not find that a reason for not making a programme on rugby spinal injuries.