Radio group suggestion came ‘out of nowhere’

Press, 1 May 1984, Page 2

Radio group suggestion came ‘out of nowhere’

A recommendation to replace the Broadcasting Corporation with a group of companies seemed to come “out of nowhere,” said the chairman of the corporation, Mr lan Cross, in Christchurch yesterday. The recommendation came from a Commission of Inquiry set up to investigate allegations of corruption within the corporation. Mr Cross said the commission had no evidence on which to base the idea. “No such evidence was canvassed before the hearing. It came out of nowhere,” he said. Mr Cross was also surprised at the commission’s accusation that the corporation created a situation where some staff were

reluctant to appear during the hearing. The commission’s report said, “Any employee who chose to challenge the authority of, or even to criticise a senior executive, ran the risk pf having a closing of ranks against him, or even his contract terminated, or at least not renewed.” Fears of such repercussions were groundless, said Mr Cross. One staff member who was critical of certain executive procedures in his evidence, was later sent to a senior management course, he said. Mr Cross was not prepared to comment on the worth of the inquiry. The commission’s report would be studied by a Cabinet committee and it would decide what value the report

should be given. Mr Cross was in Christchurch to meet broadcasting journalists and other staff. Journalists had reacted angrily to criticism by Mr Cross of the content and objectivity of television and radio news, as well as that of the print media. After making the comments, Mr Cross had agreed to meet journalists employed by the B.C.N.Z. to further outline and explain his views. He said yesterday’s meeting had been the most constructive so far. Auckland and Wellington journalists have already met Mr Cross. He reiterated his call for a return to basic reporting when he met the journalists. “They defended their performance and I respect their point of view,” he said.

The Canterbury regional secretary of the P.S.A., Mr J. M. McKenzie, said he “took heart” from the fact that Mr Cross was prepared to “front up and explain his point of view.” Not all journalists were completely happy but they had appreciated being able to meet Mr. Cross, he said.

Mr Cross met other broadcasting staff after talking with the journalists. Mr Cross said he would recommend to the May meeting of the corporation board certain courses of action to improve the credibility of broadcast journalism. He was not prepared to say yesterday what he might tell the board, or predict what possible changes might occur in the presentation of news.