MEDIA Release
24 January, 2000

GREY POWER SUPPORTS THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER’S CALL FOR
‘MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS TO BE FREE AIR”

Grey Power is one hundred percent behind The Deputy Prime Minister’s call for “MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS TO BE BROADCAST FREE TO AIR”

Why should Kiwis be denied the right to watch on television New Zealands finest sports people in action for no other reason than expense? This is another example of the negative effects of wholesale privatization of state assets and of the thinking behind the process.

The savings to the average person from abolishing television licence fees are already more than offset by other expenses, such as vehicle licence fees.

Those who defend the sale of exclusive television rights argue that Cricket and Rugby will suffer if the user pays practise is stopped, but they have a deal of self interest in professional sport.

Small as we are, New Zealand can still compete on equal terms on the playing fields of the world, but the event of pay television in support now denies many young New Zealanders of the benefits of seeing our best sports men and women in action. TOO MANY OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO CRIME AS A “SPORTING ACTIVITY” rather than channelling their energies to the playing fields.

The prime motivation in sport should never be profit, no matter what Mr Murdoch thinks.

Grey Power’s last annual general meeting passed unanimously a resolution calling for major sporting events to be broadcast free to air. It now urges the Coalition Government to act immediately to restore the right of Kiwis to watch major sporting events on television without an extra fee.

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