Nats claim news media manipulated
By
OLIVER RIDDELL
in Wellington
During the last three years a section of the communications industry has allowed itself, willingly or unwillingly, to be manipulated by the Labour Government, according to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Bolger. Addressing the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies in Auckland yesterday, he said there had been a lack of balance of news presentation on both radio and television. The credibility of the Government’s record during the last three years would be at centre strage in this General Election. Also at centre stage would be the credibility of economic commentators who after the June con-
sumers’ price index announcement, had had to duck for cover, Mr Bolger said, while the political pollsters would be looking for one-way tickets out of the country after the election. The advertising industry had been paid millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to promote the Labour Government. “Members of the industry must be aware of their need to retain public credibility,” he said. There came a point where the maintenance of democracy and the health of society had to take some precedence over unbridled greed. Some of what had happened had been condemned by the AuditorGeneral. Both the Government and the Broadcasting Corporation had
ignored his advice. "Without the compliance of Television New Zealand, none of this mischief could have been carried through,” Mr Bolger said. “The issues involved were fullly discussed by television executives before any of this went on air.” Advertising people might see such campaigns as an opportunity for industry growth. Some would see it at worst as “sharp practice” and the best “clever politics.” This election campaign would be a final test on the credibility of the news media, Mr Bolger said. All National asked was that the news media presented the arguments fairly, selected its commentators with greater care, and allowed voters to make their decisions.
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Bibliographic details
Press, 16 July 1987, Page 8
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317Nats claim news media manipulated Press, 16 July 1987, Page 8
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