Telex on radio rights for S.A. tour ‘incorrect’

Press, 17 May 1986, Page 3

Telex on radio rights for S.A. tour ‘incorrect’

A telex stating that Radio New Zealand owned full radio rights to broadcast the four rebel rugby tour "test” matches in South Africa was incorrect, said the DirectorGeneral of Radio New Zealand, Ms Beverly Wakeham, last evening. The telex was sent to the national organiser of a sporting freedom group, Mrs Elizabeth Sutherland,

by the South African Broadcasting Corporation, yesterday morning. It said that radio rights to the four matches were owned by Radio New Zealand. “It is not true as far as I am aware,” said Ms Wakeham. She said a call had been put through to the South African corporation on May 7 to inquire if

there were any contractural arrangements with Videocorp (holder of broadcasting rights) that would prevent Radio New Zealand from buying the highlights of the matches for archival use.

"We were told by a second or third-level official that they had discovered a loophole in the legal contract and could give us anything we wanted for whatever purpose,” said Ms Wakeham.

"We decided to settle for news coverage and scores as we had planned because we had no idea about the loophole or the legal implications of the matter, and whether Videocorp could take action against us.”

She said Radio New Zealand telephoned the South African corporation a few days later and simply confirmed with a line technician that it did not have the communications in place or the lines organised and would not be taking the commentary. “All I can assume is that as normal broadcasting convention usually gives the rights to the national body, it was assumed somewhere down the line that this is what had happened. We didn’t ring to ask for the rights, and don’t believe we have them now.”