News media bias, says Socred

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 3

News media bias, says Socred

PA Wellington The leader of Social Credit, Mr Bruce Beetham, has accused the news media of being sympathetic to the Labour Party.

“I believe that to date the news media, especially television, have made not the slightest effort to probe or analyse the real purpose and effects of New Zealand Party policy on economics and finance,” he said yesterday. “The reason for this silence is that with a few exceptions, the media is sympathetic to the Labour Party and they see a policy of bolstering and promoting the New Zealand Party as the best way to assist Labour.”

Mr Beetham challenged

the New Zealand Party leader, Mr Bob Jones, to debate his party’s economic and financial policies at an open forum. He also challenged Television New Zealand to stage the debate, “so the true nature of the New Zealand Party’s policies can be exposed for what they are.” “The truth must be told — a return to hyper-infla-tion and exorbitant but taxdeductible interest rates wanted by the property magnates behind the New Zealand Party would mean the final curtain call for New Zealand’s economy. “A free for all and devil take the hindmost policy would mean open slather for the moneyed interests and exploitation for the rest of us,” he said.