BCNZ begins review bid

Press, 23 July 1986, Page 34

BCNZ begins review bid

PA Wellington The Broadcasting Corporation has begun a bid in the High Court at Wellington to reverse a Broad-1 casting Tribunal decision not to hear some evidence on applications for a third television channel. The corporation has applied for a judicial review of the tribunal’s decision not to admit evidence from the corporation’s chairman, Mr Hugh Rennie, and chief executive, Mr Nigel Dick. Lawyers representing 11 respondents and Mr Maurice O’Brien, Q.C., for the corporation, appeared before the Chief Justice, Sir Ronald Davison, in the first day of submissions yesterday. Mr O’Brien said the tribunal would be failing in its. duty if it did not hear full corporation evidence. The main objection to admitting the evidence seemed to be that it might

prejudice the case of other parties, he said. However, the situation had changed; the evidence was in the public interest and should be heard. The evidence related to the corporation’s ability to, look after the' public interest if a warrant for. a third television channel was granted now, Mr O’Brien said.