Journalists worried by take-over bid

Press, 23 April 1987, Page 9

Journalists worried by take-over bid

The New Zealand Journalists’ Union is concerned about the impending take-over of “The Press” by the Wellingtonbased newspaper company, Independent Newspapers, Ltd.

The union did not favour the concentration of news media ownership, said the national secretary, Mr Tony Wilton. It was sad to see an independent newspaper become part of a large group, he said. To date, I.N.L. had kept its word in not imposing central control on the editors of its newspapers but centralisation was “a little more subtle than that,” said Mr Wilton.

“They control the purse strings and control of the purse strings means control of a lot of other things.”

The take-over is still subject to Commerce

Commission approval, although the Commerce Act has been amended so that the commission is required to look only at commercial considerations. Mr Wilton said that the Journalists’ Union could previously have opposed the take-over before the commission, arguing that it was against the public interest. However, its opposition on social and ethical grounds did not fit into the commercial context, he said. Journalists at “The Press” will meet this afternoon to discuss the take-over.

The Canterbury branch secretary of the Printers’ Union, Mr Noel Harris, said that the union was mindful of the influence of the Australian news media magnate, Mr Rupert Murdoch, “knowing what happened in England and Australia.”

Mr Murdoch’s group has control over much of the Australian news media, and substantial interests in Britain and the United States. It was involved in a bitter dispute with printers in England over the introduction of new printing technology. It has a 40 per cent interest in I.N.L. Mr Harris believed that the $ll5 million bid would have needed financial support, at least in part, from overseas, “probably Murdoch.” However, he noted the assurances of job security, independence, and integrity given by the managing director of I.N.L-, Mr Michael Robson.

Printing staff expected to carry on as usual, he said. “I don’t think any are over-anxious at the moment” Printers will meet on Monday to discuss any concerns.