Article results in reprimand

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 50

Article results in reprimand

PA Wellington The editor and a reporter of “New Zealand Truth” are to be formally reprimanded by the Speaker of Parliament.

The formal written reprimand comes after an article in an October issue of the newspaper which a Parliamentary committee has said was an attempt to influence members of Parliament by threats and was a breach of privilege. The committee found the editor, Mr Alan Hitchens, and a reporter, Chris Knight, to be in contempt. Three National members of Parliament — Mr John Banks (Whangarei), Mr Norman Jones (Invercargill), and Mr Graeme Lee (Hauraki) — complained to the Speaker, Dr Wall, about the article relating to the Homosexual Law Reform BiU.

“Truth” told the committee it had no intention to influence members in their Parliamentary conduct and

that it had acted in the public interest by publishing the article.

The editor and reporter had both indicated they were willing to apologise if they were found to have committed a breach of privilege. Settlements had also been reached between “Truth” and the three members in legal proceedings, the Leader of the House, Mr Palmer, said. The committee believed the settlements . involved publishing an apology and payment of damages, he Because adequate, redress had been obtained by the members, the commititee was not inclined to recommend as heavy a penalty as it might otherwise have thought appropriate in what was a serious case of breach of-privilege. It recommended that Mr Hitchens and Mr Knight should be formally reprimanded in writing by the