TV interviews

Press, 23 June 1981, Page 16

TV interviews

Sir,-Some' of the finest TV I have watched has been interesting interviews. People like Muggeridge, Frost, Cronkite, Parkinson, and many other topliners. None of them seem to feel the need to interrogate, or brutally rattle the guest. Sadly, on the home front I feel the steel-capped boot ready to fly into action. I remember the look of astonishment on Cronkite's face when one of our locals asked him at what stage in an interview he “went for the jugular.” This local brand of interrogation does no good for the subject under discussion, the people giving their views or the joy of the viewers. Maybe it adds to the ego of the interviewer; maybe it gains a lot of pats on the back from the little studio gods; but I am sure most New Zealanders dislike persecution. It is really something to fear.—Yours, etc., G. BLAKE. June 16, 1981. Sir,—l have recently witnessed the greatest “put up” political hatchet job since Watergate — subject, “The Newsmakers.” Fraser with Ordia was respectful, conciliatory; then with Couch he was ruthless, demanding, superior. Overnight the world is in-

formed. The news carries reports from black leaders interested enough to comment. The next day the Labour party homes in led by the M.P. for Southern Maori. She, like the rest of the Labour party, conveniently forgets that she owes her position to New Zealand’s own form of apartheid. I must admit that I tend to agree with Mr Couch; the hews media has a lot to answer for. More important, it is time the New Zealand television service purged itself of politically biased newsmakers.—Yours, etc., H...MURRAY ORR. June 20, 1981. 1