No. 20

415

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
OF
THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1981

Published by Authority

WELLINGTON: MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1981

Direction to Broadcasting Tribunal in Connection with the Development in New Zealand of a Frequency Modulation (F.M.) Broadcasting Service

To the Broadcasting Tribunal

PURSUANT to section 68 (1) of the Broadcasting Act 1976, the Minister of Broadcasting—

(1) Gives you notice that it is part of the general policy of the New Zealand Government in relation to broadcasting—

(a) That a frequency modulation (F.M.) broadcasting service be developed as an integral part of sound-radio broadcasting in New Zealand; and

(b) That the Minister of Broadcasting requires your advice concerning the development of that service in New Zealand; and

(c) That there should be public participation in the consideration of the issues involved in the development of that service; and

(d) That that public participation should take the form of public hearings conducted by you; and

(e) That your advice, following those public hearings, be given to the Minister of Broadcasting not later than the 31st day of August 1981; and

(f) That no warrants or authorisations for F.M. broadcasting stations be considered or granted until your advice is available to, and has been considered by, the Minister of Broadcasting; and

(2) In pursuance of that policy, directs that you shall, after conducting public hearings on the issues involved, advise the Minister of Broadcasting not later than the 31st day of August 1981, concerning the implementation of the Government’s policy of developing a frequency modulation (F.M.) broadcasting service as an integral part of sound-radio broadcasting in New Zealand, and in particular, on—

(a) The timing, and any necessary testing, for the introduction of the service:

(b) The procedure that should be adopted by the Broadcasting Tribunal for dealing with applications for warrants for F.M. broadcasting stations:

(c) The coverage objectives, having regard, in particular, to:

(i) The need for the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand to continue without interruption the work of extending the coverage of TV2; and

(ii) The needs of the rural areas:

(d) Whether any interim service should be on a commercial basis or a non-commercial basis or both:

(e) Whether the holders of warrants for A.M. broadcasting stations should be permitted to hold warrants, or interests in warrants, in respect of F.M. broadcasting stations:

(f) Whether in the case of applications for warrants for F.M. broadcasting stations, any variations should be made in the criteria set out in section 80 of the Broadcasting Act 1976:

(g) Whether the holders of warrants in respect of F.M. broadcasting stations should pay fees or levies for the use of the public resource represented by the F.M. broadcasting spectrum:

(h) The time for which a warrant in respect of a F.M. broadcasting station should continue in force and the rights of renewal (if any) that should apply in respect of such a warrant:

(i) The requirements or conditions that should, in the public interest, be imposed on the holders of warrants for F.M. broadcasting stations:

(j) Whether, having regard to the high fidelity stereo potential of a F.M. broadcasting service, special considerations apply to the programming of such a service:

(k) Whether your advice in relation to the matters set out in this direction calls for amendments to the Broadcasting Act 1976 or to regulations made under that Act:

(l) Such other matters as you consider relevant; and

(3) In pursuance of that policy, directs that you shall, in carrying out the direction contained in clause (2) of this notice, have regard to—