CHICAGO PAPER ATTACKS N.Z. CONTROL OF RADIO

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1949, Page 4

CHICAGO PAPER ATTACKS N.Z. CONTROL OF RADIO

MONTREAL, Nov. 7 (Recd. 6 p.m.y —The Chicago “Tribune," in an editoiial attacking the political control of broadcasting, declared that New Zealand could not be called a free country or a democracy. The “Tribune" said the only political speech over New Zealand stations on the eve of the forthcoming elections would be the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser’s, unless a court action by William Appleton, Mayor of Wellington. was successful. “The circumstances show how liberty is menaced by Government ownership or control of radio facilities,” said the “Tribune.” "We understand New Zealand has two radio chains, one of them Government operated and the other known as a commercial chain subjec‘ to Government regulations. It, too, is therefore, under political control. For all practical purposes- the party in power in New Zealand is, and does, just that. In the light of these conditions, it is absurd to say New Zealand is a free country or a democracy, by any of the definitions of this much abused word. The same must be said of Britain and every other country that permits political control of the radio.”