Vic: Election candidate s complaint against 3AW dismissed

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2000
Vic: Election candidate s complaint against 3AW dismissed

A tribunal has ruled that radio station 3AW did not discriminate against an independent
candidate during last year's state election.

The Tribunal decided that the station was entitled to give more time to other candidates,
who were concentrating on state, rather than local, issues.

SCOTT RANKIN had complained that 3AW's NEIL MITCHELL program had not given him equal
time to speak during a public forum it organised and broadcast during the crucial Frankston
East supplementary election in October last year.

MR RANKIN said Labor and Liberal candidates spoke for 45 minutes each while the 11
independent candidates were allowed only 30 minutes in total.

It was ruled that the forum had been held to debate Victoria-wide issues rather than
local Frankston East issues and was focussed on which party was likely to govern Victoria.

AAP RTV nl/er/amt/jn

KEYWORD: RANKIN (MELBOURNE)

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