Open Access — And Threats Of Closing (Press, 23 July 1981)
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Summary: Open Access — And Threats Of Closing (Press, 23 July 1981)
On 23 July 1981, Radio Heath Lees highlighted both positive and negative developments in local broadcasting. The positive news centred around Aranui High School's radio programme that aired on 3ZM, discussing the complexities of defining maturity and the transition from childhood to adulthood. Titled "How Old is Old Enough?" the programme explored societal attitudes towards young people, illustrating the struggle to find appropriate terminology to refer to this age group. Terms like "kids" and "teen-ager" fell out of favour, while "young adult" was seen as patronising. The programme featured real voices from young people facing daily challenges related to their status in society. A working 15-year-old raised the question of why he couldn't vote despite paying taxes, while a 16-year-old mother expressed her anticipation of being able to enter a licensed venue legally. A hotel manager shared his experience of dealing with under-age drinkers, arguing against lowering the drinking age to 18, suggesting it would only shift the problem to an even younger demographic. The programme was praised for its thought-provoking content and professional presentation, as it posed significant questions regarding young people's rights and societal acceptance. Conversely, the negative news involved concerns about potential cuts to broadcasting material from the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation (NZBC) due to economic constraints. This raised alarms among listeners about losing cherished programmes such as "My Music," "My Word," and various documentaries that are currently staples of the radio schedule. Listeners were encouraged to express their concerns by writing to Broadcasting House in Wellington, using determined rhetoric reminiscent of Winston Churchill to galvanise public response. The sentiment echoed a strong cultural attachment to NZBC content and the fears associated with losing diverse and informative programming.
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