Advertising rules upset Labour Party

Press, 16 February 1984, Page 3

Advertising rules upset Labour Party

PA Wellington The Labour Party was firmly opposed to new political advertising rules finalised last week by State and private broadcasters, said the party’s general secretary, Mr John Wybrow. yesterday.

“From what we know now we are not in favour of an extension of broadcasting regulations to allow paid political advertising,” said Mr Wybrow. “It is possible to get yourself into a situation like the Americans where the biggest spender gets the best results. That is not a welcome scene for New Zealand politics,” he said. “We are firmly against it unless there is something there that they can convince us is of benefit in terms of the political scene.” Mr Wybrow said the

labour Party had written to the Broadcasting Corporation “expressing our disapproval of what we have heard and we have sought an urgent meeting.” The general director of the National Party, Mr Barrie Leay, said he could not comment until he had seen what the new rules were. “We have no idea. Wehave not been consulted,” he said.

Mr Leay said the party would not be particularly concerned about more paid advertising being broadcast but until it knew the details it was very difficult to comment.

The corporation’s head of programme standards, Mr Peter Fabian, said that a committee made up of private and State broadcasters had made new rules which

became effective from February 6. The corporation’s public affairs manager, Mr Charles Martin, said the application of the rules had not yet been decided on by the corporation. Its chairman, Mr lan Cross, said that once the corporation had held further discussions, a “consultative process with political parties” could take place. Mr Fabian said the rules committee had “tidied up radio and television rules covering industrial relations and political advertising.” Previously the advertising rules in these areas were “rather limited.”

Apart from free time given to political parties at elections, advertising had been confined to notice of public meetings and addresses.

Only basic information had been given, such as the date, time, and place of an event, the names and affiliations of speakers, and a brief non-controversial indication of subject matter.

Candidates could also advertise their availability to call on electors. Mr Fabian said the amended rules gave a little more scope.

The new rules say political advertising is permissible but cannot include material which denigrates any other candidate or party or policy, and imitates in any way an existing programme, format, or any identifiable personality.

Mr Fabian said the rules had been agreed to by both the Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Broadcasters’ Association.