Radio shares investigated

Press, 17 December 1984, Page 24

Radio shares investigated

PA Wellington The Broadcasting Tribunal has issued a notification under the broadcasting regulations requiring private commercial radio warrant holders to file a shareholdings return with the tribunal. This was the first step in the inquiry in order to advise the Minister of Broadcasting on a number of matters relating to the ownership of private broadcasting stations, said the tribunal’s chairman, Mr Brute Slane. Meanwhile, copies of the letter of request from the Minister have been forwarded to all private broadcasting stations and will be sent, to others who might be thought to be interested in the matter, Mr Slane said.

The tribunal will issue a public notice indicating the terms of reference and inviting parties who may wish to make submissions or to present evidence to contact the tribunal. The first sitting of the tribunal would take place next month, he said. It had hot yet been decided what parts of the inquiry would be conducted in public, but expected that at least part of the inquiry would be conducted in private because of the nature of the information being gathered. Any person or organisation interested should approach the Broadcasting Registrar in Wellington, indicating the extent of interest or evidence which could be given, Mr Slane said.