INSIGHT '79 "The Listener"

Rights Information
Year
1979
Reference
326664
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
1979
Reference
326664
Media type
Audio
Duration
00:29:22
Credits
RNZ Collection
Glasgow, Neville, 1930-2019, Presenter
Holcroft, M. H. (Montague Harry), 1902-1993, Interviewee
Cross, Ian Robert, 1925-2019, Interviewee
REID, Tony, Interviewee
Gregory, Bob, Interviewee
Gault, Russell Samuel, 1943-1991, Interviewee

A look at broadcasting's weekly magazine 'The Listener' - accused by Prime Minister Robert Muldoon of containing slanted journalism, and of having an editorial policy that is left of centre.

Dr Bob Gregory, a political science researcher from Victoria University comments on the magazine which has celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Neville Glasgow reviews the magazine's history and editors: first Oliver Duff and then Monte Holcroft who was editor for 18 years. Monte comments on using the editorial column and the correspondence pages to stimulate debate and public opinion on controversial issues such as homosexual law reform and capital punishment. Monte talks about criticism he received, how he dealt with it and libel laws.

An excerpt from Monte's book "The Reluctant Editor" is read.
Alexander McLeod succeeded Holcroft. He had a political editorial policy and was critical of the N.Z.B.C. in his editorials, which lead to him being dismissed. A government inquiry into 'the McLeod Affair" found the NZBC had acted properly.

Ian Cross became editor in mid-1973 and comments on his own editorial policy and why the magazine is so often in the firing line. He says New Zealand society needs stimulation and needs to hear a wide range of opinions, which The Listener's editorial column allows.

Tony Reid, the present editor, has been in the role for two years and comments on the magazine's role in the Muldoon era. He discusses the Prime Minister's recent threat to remove the magazine's monopoly on radio and television listings and what the implications of this would be.

Monte Holcroft says losing the rights to the listings would be a 'death blow' for the magazine.

Competitors see things differently. The weekly "Truth" is The Listener's strongest critic. Editor Russell Gault says The Listener has an unfair advantage on other press.

Ian Cross says the magazine needs the listings copyright as a means to free it from competitive imperatives and allow greater editorial independence.