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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 37, Number 1. 6th March 1974

Open Letter

Open Letter

In March 1970 the Race Relations Council addressed an open letter to NZ editors inviting them to endorse or to comment on the following proposals:

That editors should agree:—
1)Not to cite race when individuals are charged with or associated with criminal activity, except when mention of race is clearly in the public interest. (Such cases might include escaped prisoners.)
2)To examine any news about minority racial groups to see whether its publication would or would not assist in the strengthening of harmonious relations between races in this country.
3)To actively seek news stories and features that will assist in building racial harmony and friendship.

There was little response to the Council's appeal. In the light of the press's lack of improvement in the reporting of racial matters, it may be time for them to reappraise their policies. It may be time for their readers to call on them to do so.

Roger Steele