Diary of a Merger

Tuesday night; Evening Post carries hews of the 'merger' proposals in its leading story. A low key announcement emphasising the reasonableness of the economic argument. Written in such a legalistic way that it makes dull reading.

Wednesday morning; The Dominion judges the news as worthy of no more than third page treatment.

Wednesday evening. The Evening Post carries the comments of Warren Page, president of the New Zealand Journalist's Association, under a small headline towards the bottom of its front page. Beside it, in large print is an explanatory editorial seeking sympathy from readers for the cold economic facts of newspaper life. And on page 12 somewhere is the story 'Labour sees Planned Newspaper Merger as 'Real Unholy Alliance'.

Thursday morning. Mr Page's statement warrants coverage only on the Dominion's television page.

Friday morning. The Herald, afraid for its status as New Zealand's second biggest company has asked Mr Marshall if the government intended to take any action. True to form, Mr Marshall replies that 'the Government has not at this point of time considered that the public interest is affected to an extent which would justify legislation to deprive people of their rights to conduct their own businesses in this way.'