Politics hits journalists

(NZSPA Reporters)

Two political writers, Robin Bromby (below) and Graham Billing, have been transferred from the Sunday Times to the Dominion.

Graham Billing becomes deputy chief reporter of the Dominion. Robin Bromby (a former editor Salient) is now a senior reporter for the Dominion.

Pat Plunket, who frequently acted as chief reporter for the Dominion, and was formerly a reporter for Truth. replaces them on the Sunday Times.

These changes are seen as being a result of a policy decision to de-emphasise hard-hitting political criticism.

The change in policy is believed to be the result of pressures from National Party politicians.

The Wellington Publishing Company, publishers of the Dominion and Sunday Times, are particularly susceptible to such influence.

Members of the eight-man board of directors include Mr D. J. Riddiford. M.P. for Wellington Central, his brother, Mr J. S. Riddiford, and his brother-in-law, Dr Morvyn Williams, who is chairman of directors.

In recent months three cabinet ministers have been angered by articles in the Times.

The Hon. Ralph Hanan was annoyed by an article criticising the excessively restrictive nature of the Paremoremo Prison; the Hon. T. P. Shand was annoyed by an article about "the Jackson family" and the living conditions caused by unemployment; and the Hon. R. D. Muldoon was annoyed by criticism of the National Development Conference.

This last is seen to have been the immediate cause of the change in policy.

Detailed official comment was not available on the significance of the transfers.

Both the managing director Mr A. Burnet and Dr Williams were asked if the Sunday Times would cease to be a critical journal.

Dr Williams proceeded to talk about constructive political writing as necessary in New Zealand.

Mr Burnet would not concede that the Sunday Times would cease to be critical, but said the matter was an internal staff question.

Last week NZSPA rang Rupert Murdoch, the Australian newspaper magnate and a major shareholder and director of the Dominion.

Mr Murdoch said he knew nothing of the sudden reshuffle on the Sunday Times.

He said he had not been in New Zealand for four months.

Over the weekend Salient heard that Mr Murdoch was coming to Wellington today on business.