Real NZ Radio Comes Closer

Rip It Up, Issue 72, 1 July 1983, Page 4

Real NZ Radio Comes Closer

The struggle for more local content on radio seems to have been taken a step further with the acceptance by both public and private broadcasters of the need for a committee to investigate the matter.

The topic of NZ music quotas on radio was among those discussed at the Broadcasting Tribunal's recent Issues 'B3 conference and the formation of a work committee was accepted in principle by those present. The case for a quota was put by the head of Marmalade Records, Rocky Douche, who said the "above average" skills of NZ songwriters and musicians had a right to greater access to the listening audience of their own country. Increased competition between public and private radio had meant that NZ music had fallen by the wayside in favour of conservative "imported" playlists, he said.

A legally required level would "allow broadcasters from both sides of the fence to concentrate on more varied, innovative music policies and sperid less time worrying about the opposition," he said. The address on the topic from Radio New Zealand's Commercial Network Manager, John Douglas, made no firm commitments but was encouraging in that it admitted that radio conservatism was a problem called for co-operation between interested parties. Further support for a quota system came from the June meeting of the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council. The council undertook to look at the establishment of quotas "as a matter of urgency." Also described as urgent was the formation of a Recording Commission, similar to the NZ Film Commission, which has helped foster the country's movie industry.