Submissions heard on TVNZ channels

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 14

Submissions heard on TVNZ channels

PA Auckland The Broadcasting Tribunal has heard submissions from Aucklanders on the renewal of warrants for the two Television New Zealand channels. Evidence by the Broadcasting Corporation was heard by the tribunal in Wellington earlier this year. The tribunal will sit in several centres before November, hearing submissions on what restrictions should be put on the warrants.

Submissions for the Auckland hearing closed in May. but in a surprise move Alternative Television Network. Ltd. presented modified submissions. In its first statement, the company called for the tribunal to renew the warrants. but for short periods only. But Mr B. G. Impey told the hearing that the Broadcasting Amendment Act. and Government publication of the options open to

private enterprise television, had changed the company's stance.

Mr J. G. Miles, for Northern Television. Ltd. said that the new approach by A. T. N. represented a “fundamental about-face" and showed that credibility was no longer an issue.

Mr Impey said that A.T.N. was simply keeping its options open. It was not yet known if the Government would allow private television a third channel, or hand over one of the existing channels, he said.

Both companies are concerned that the corporation is narrowing opportunities for future private television by installing translators for Channel 10. This is the onlychannel of the v.h.f. frequencies on which a third television channel could broadcast.

Mr Miles told the tribunal that the corporation was using Channel 10 to improve transmission of TV2 to re-

mote areas. "For the sake of a fewsmall communities which could be served by v.h.f. translators, vast numbers of people could be denied future additional services in the v.h.f. band.” he said.

Mr Impey said that if the Government was to hand over one of the existing channels. Channel 10 would not be needed.

Submissions by the Television Producers and’ Directors' Association called for the tribunal to make provision for a review of television standards and rules, sought more training for production personnel, and urged more New Zealand programmes in prime time. Representatives of the Auckland Committee on Racism and Discrimination told the hearing that the Broadcasting Corporation displayed a monocultural bias, and devoted insufficient time to the Polynesian languages, cultures and values.