Radio New Zealand criticised by Avon

Press, 3 June 1981, Page 25

Radio New Zealand criticised by Avon

The chairman of Radio Avon, Ltd (Mr P. L. Mortlock) spoke out bluntly against the “unhealthy" competition from Radio New Zealand in the battle for ratings. Mr Mortlock said in the private radio station's annual report RNZ should not be precluded from running ra-. dio competitions just because it is a state-owned corporation "and in effect a public utility." But .“funding should be kept within reasonable bounds, whereas the present level of spending by Radio New Zealand in this area appears to be limitless,” he said. . “The times dictate that advertising rates should be maintained at a level to at least counter inflation.

"It is also implicit that thi corporation should conduc its business in a mannei which will circumvent th< ■ need to increase the televi sion licence fee or approacl the Government for loans oi grants to the Broadcasting Tribunal for capital expendi ture. "Today Radio Avon is encountering much stiffer com petition, but it is unhealthj competition because Radk New Zealand’s main weapor is money rather than programming expertise. "If the company attemptec to win listeners by usini methods similar to that ol Radio New Zealand, the Broadcasting Tribunal and the shareholders would' be within their rights to prevent the company from conducting its business in such a manner."