Party alleges radio bias

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 5

Party alleges radio bias

The New Zealand Party will complain to the Broadcasting Corporation about alleged discrimination by Radio New Zealand in Christchurch concerning political advertising. The New Zealand Party’s candidate for Fendalton, Mr Bob Radley, said he had been “discriminated against" because he had been denied the opportunity to broadcast general political messages on Radio 3ZB early in the election campaign, although the National Party member of Parlia-

ment for Fendalton, Mr Philip Burdon, had more recently been allowed to make general political broadcasts.

Mr Radley said that on June 29, his party tried to book a series of political advertisements on 3ZB. It was told by Radio New Zealand that advertising Content had to be restricted to the party name, candidate, and notice and time of public meeting, but that no general message relating to a Parliamentary candidate was allowed.

Because of this, the party decided to spend election campaign funds on different promotional methods. When it later heard Mr Burdon advertising on radio it complained to Radio New Zealand was told that the advertising rules had been changed.

“Our complaint is that even if they have changed the rules, they could have come back to us and given us an equal opportunity. It was really most unfair, and we are rather distressed about it,” said Mr

Radley. The party had been told that it could now broadcast general political messages on radio, Mr Radley said, but all its advertising funds had been allocated.

“They should have, in fairness, given us notice there. was a change,” he said.

Comment was not available from Radio New Zealand in Christchurch yesterday because of the absence of the district manager, Mr lan Vernazoni.