Censorship Denied (Press, 16 January 1980)

On 16 January 1980, the Minister of Education, Mr Wellington, publicly addressed concerns regarding his recent decision to pause the purchase of health and social education films, slides, and tapes for New Zealand schools. He dismissed claims that he was acting as a censor for sex education materials. This decision is linked to the forthcoming government response to the Johnson report, with a clarification expected within the year. Mr Wellington indicated that prior to making this decision, he had viewed a selection of films with Education Department officials that focused on sensitive topics such as population control, contraception, and human relationships. He expressed concern not primarily about the subjects themselves but about the manner in which they were presented. Many of the films, he noted, were outdated and handled crucial issues poorly. Given these observations, he deemed it prudent to halt any new acquisitions until the government's stance on the Johnson report is established. He clarified that this decision would not impact existing sex-education films or slides currently held in the National Film Library. Notably, some of the titles in the library cover topics like lesbianism and homosexuality. In response to Mr Wellington's actions, the National Gay Rights Coalition accused him of yielding to pressure from conservative groups, including the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards and Concerned Parents. This situation reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the education curriculum in the context of sensitive social issues during that period.

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