“CHICAGO TRIBUNE” AGAIN—FLING AT N.Z. RADIO CONTROL

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1949, Page 5

“CHICAGO TRIBUNE” AGAIN—FLING AT N.Z. RADIO CONTROL

(Rec 8.404.) MONTREAL Nov 6 On Monday , November 11, the “Chicago Tribune” is to have an editorial attacking political control .of broadcasting, and declaring that New Zealand could not be called a free country or of democracy. The “Tri' bune” is to say:— “The onvy political speech over Now Zealand stations on the eve or the forthcoming elections would be the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser’s, unless a court action by Mr William Appleton, Mayor of Wellington, was succesful. Circumstances show how liberty is menaced by Government wnership or control of radio facilities. We understand New Zealand has two radio chains, one of them Government operated, and the other known as the commercial chain, subject to Government regulation. It too is therefore under political control. For all practical purposes the party in power in New Zealand is in a .position! to censor radio in its own interest. and does just that in light of these conditions. It is absurd to say New Zealand is a free country or democracy by any of the definitions of this much abused word. The same must also be said of Britain, and of every other country that permits political control of radio.”