Proposed radio cuts draw protests

Press, 10 August 1981, Page 4

Proposed radio cuts draw protests

More than 7000 letters, as well as 96 petitions containing a total of 2600 signatures, have been received by Radio New Zealand protesting about the posible loss of the 8.8. C. transciption services. Many more letters have also been written direct to the 8.8. C. in London and to the British Prime Minister (Mrs Thatcher) protesting about the proposed cuts.

The British Government recently decided to end the 8.8. C. transcription services, which sell such British radio programmes as the “Goon Show,” “Letters from America," and "The Archers," to more than 100 countries from April next year.

Radio New Zealand is gradually forwarding the letters and petitions it has received to the 8.8. C. and more than 40 letters addressed to Mrs Thatcher have been sent to her

through the British High Commission. “About 1000 letters have been sent to the 8.8. C. so far, but all 7000 will go eventually," Mr Peter Downes, the National Programme manager, said from Wellington.

The 8.8. C. was “most impressed and warmed" by New Zealand’s response, which had been matched in many other countries receiving the transcription services, he said. The British Government had not changed its mind yet about the decision to cut "the services, but he believed that New Zealand's response to the proposed cuts had been quoted in the House of Lords last week. “Of course, it would be sad to lose such an enormous number of excellent programmes," Mr Downes said. “However, the British Gov-

ernment must also realise that, by offering these programmes throughout the world at a price broadcasters can afford, the British Government, through the 8.8. C., is guaranteeing that the art, culture, literature, thought, and influence of Britain will remain in force throughout the world." he said.

“If broadcasters at present receiving 8.8. C. programmes were obliged to pay the full price — in other words, the total cost, with or without a profit margin — of these programmes, they would be able to afford to broadcast only a small amount of them.”

Mr Downes said that radio listeners would lose a lot if the transcription services were cut, but the British nation stood to lose a lot more.