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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Volume 31, Number 18. July 30, 1968

Press its own censor

Press its own censor

Mrs Quentin-Baxter

Mrs Quentin-Baxter

"Press freedom should be curtailed when other rights need protection," Mrs A. Quentin-Baxter, of Law Faculty, said in an address recently.

The protection of an individual's privacy and reputation and public morality and order justify some limitations on the freedom of expression, she said.

There is no press censorship in New Zealand. Newspaper material runs the risk of criminal or civic action if, after publication, it is found to have transgressed the law.

The need to keep within the law may provide a form of self-censorship in the press.

The civil law of defamation action induces most newspapers to be non-committal on important issues, particularly the actions, policies and competence of public figures, Mrs. Quentin-Baxter said.

Mrs Quentin-Baxter asked whether the present law of defamation gave the press adequate scope to publish matters which were of public interest, but which could contain statements which could be proved true.

But, she said "If a person has really been libelled it is impossible to restore the status quo. Whatever remedy he obtains-retraction and a handsome apology on the front page, or a substantial award of damages-some of the mud will stick."

The limitations of the press revolved on the protection of the individual's right to privacy and to keep his good name, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Press restrictions were very small in comparison with the large areas where freedom of the press remained.

"The press in New Zealand has substantial freedom to speak out effectively on all the important issues of our times," Mrs Quentin-Baxter said.