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The head of TV3 news has defended the network's conduct after police questioned staff members and confiscated two tapes related to last night's Campbell Live interview with one of the Waiouru medal thieves.
Mark Jennings spent two hours meeting with three plain clothes police officers at TV3 headquarters
in Eden Terrace this afternoon, in what was described as "a civilised meeting".
The police arrived just before 2.45pm and left at approximately 4.53pm, armed with two tapes from the Campbell Live show, which they hope will provide vital information into the identity and whereabouts of thieves who stole the Waiouru medals.
TV3's director of news Mark Jennings told NZPA he and Campbell had spoken with police today.
However, TV3 had not known the man's real name, and Campbell was the only person who had met him. The interview had been taped, then transcribed and the tape destroyed.
Campbell then repeated his questions to an actor playing the part of the man. The transcribed answers were read by an actor.
TV3 had taken these precautions so they would not have to break their promise to the man not to divulge his identity, Mr Jennings said.
Mr Jennings also said Campbell was not going to offer police any of the man's identifying features.
He defended the broadcaster's decision.
"The decision was made on the basis of being true to our word. This guy said he'd be interviewed on the basis that he would not divulge his identity, and we agreed with that."
Mr Jennings said it was not a matter of being uncooperative.
"I think people have got to realise that we are a news media organisation.
"We're the fourth estate and it's our job to get as many details about these stories as we can.
"We're not a law enforcement agency. We try to be good citizens but we have our job to do."
Mr Jennings said criticism being thrown at TV3 by other media organisations was spurred by professional jealousy.
"I don't think there's a journalist worth their salt out there who would not have interviewed this person."
Mr Jennings said he understood some viewers were upset by the decision to interview an alleged criminal, but he noted 250,000 still watched the show.
He understood police had a good idea of who the man was and were not far away from knocking on his door.
The 96 medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, were nabbed on December 2 from the museum and were returned last Friday after a deal brokered by Auckland lawyer Chris Comeskey.
Police wouldn't confirm if they knew the identity of those who took the medals.
The move comes after United Future MP Peter Dunne called upon police to force TV3 and the Campbell Live producers to give up all information they had on the mastermind of the theft.
- with NZPA
