TV journalists take stand

Press, 3 November 1984, Page 8

TV journalists take stand

PA Wellington Wellington television journalists will not use film in their work and say some news stories might not be covered as a result.

From November 19 they will gather news using only the- new electronic video tape cameras brought in two years ago. A spokesman, Mr lan Anthony, said yesterday that journalists were sick and tired of “management putting off any serious attempt” to settle a demarcation dispute between film cameramen and" studio cameramen who use the electronic video tape cameras.

Two years ago the journalists were shifted from

the Avalon television studios into central Wellington to take advantage of the new cameras and they say that since then the equipment has never been used properly. They say that their news stories look shoddy and often run close to deadline because of the dispute. “A result of the inability of management to solve the dispute has led to the ludicrous situation of hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of electronic news cameras being shut in a cupboard at Avalon, unable to be used,” Mr Anthony said. “It’s like being given a new car to work with but being told you can use only first gear.”