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Michael Dorner (DXLD 2-071) apparently fails
to appreciate that, in New Zealand, the government does not issue
broadcasting licences. We have a free radio market in terms of station ownership
and control..
I'll say it again, the Roman Catholic Church can
bid for any available AM or FM frequency or network of frequencies in NZ. If
they bid the best price, they're on air..
It can also buy commercial frequencies from
existing networks, or lease them. If successful, they can change the
format and broadcast what they want, commercial or non-commercial.
There are several Canadian owned networks up for sale here right now.
Go ahead and buy them.
It can also set up a nationwide network or
multiple networks of low powered FM stations on reserved channels free of
charge. It can originate own programs, relay US based Roman Catholic programs or
Vatican Radio if it chooses.
The point is, there are no restrictions, so it's
simply not true to say that New Zealand doesn't allow Roman Catholic radio
stations. Perhaps Michael could look within the Roman Catholic Church to find
out why they don't take full advantage of this freedom of the
airwaves.
In Australia, the Roman Catholic Church used to own
2SM Sydney, the Methodist Church used to own 5KA Adelaide.
Today, the Roman Catholic Church can apply to buy
an existing AM or FM station or network. It can apply for new low powered FM
licences and narrowcast licences, and can bid for new
commercial frequencies as they come on the market.
In both countries, the Roman Catholic Church has no
less an opportunity than any other would be broadcaster to get on air. The fact
they haven't, has nothing at all to do with any
licencing restrictions. There are no such restrictions that would keep
them off the air.
Christian radio broadcasters are welcome in both
countries. We already have some. More are also welcome. Whether
listeners choose to listen to them is a different issue.
Of course, whether the Roman Catholic Church in
Australia and NZ wants to compete in an open and free market for
radio frequencies is completely up to their own local dioceses and where
they place their financial and pastoral priorities.
Thanks Glenn, for your indulgence on space for this
issue. I've no further comment to make.
73's
David Ricquish
Talkback
NZDX Times / www.radiodx.com
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