BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

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Summary

The conversation between two morning show announcers on Radio One 91 FM on 9

July 1997 focussed on women's bodies and sexual attributes.

Rachel Medusa of Dunedin complained to the Station Manager of Radio One 91 FM

that such comment was sexist, discriminatory and in poor taste. She also complained

that after she advised the station of her complaint, derogatory remarks about her

complaint were made on the programme.

When it responded to the complaint, Radio One acknowledged that the remarks made

were inappropriate and unsuitable for broadcast on the station. The matter had been

drawn to the announcer's attention, and the station apologised to the complainant.

Dissatisfied with that decision, Ms Medusa referred it to the Broadcasting Standards

Authority under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989. She drew the Authority's

attention to the station's letterhead, which contained the phrase "I was made for

loving you baby", which she regarded as a further example of the sexism inherent at

the station.

For the reasons given below, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint.

Decision

The members of the Authority have read the correspondence (summarised in the

Appendix). No tape of the programme was provided. On this occasion, the

Authority determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

When reviewing the film "Beneath the Valley of the Ultravixens" on Radio One 91

FM (Dunedin) on 9 July the announcers commented on the bodies of the women in

the film in a sexually explicit manner.

Rachel Medusa of Dunedin complained to Radio One that these remarks by the two

breakfast show announcers were typical of the sexist attitudes which they

demonstrated on a number of occasions. She cited an example of a sexist

advertisement which was currently being broadcast, and remarks made by the same

announcers about a studio guest. In her view, these comments as well as the remarks

made on 9 July were sexist and derogatory to women.

When it responded to Ms Medusa, Radio One upheld the complaint that the remarks

made about the film were inappropriate and had no place on its station. It offered an

apology and an assurance that the two announcers would endeavour to keep the show

more balanced in the future.

Dissatisfied with that decision, Ms Medusa referred her complaint to the Authority.

She repeated her concern about the station's sexist attitudes, noting that its views

were amply demonstrated by the logo on its stationery which reads "I was made for

loving you baby". In her view those attitudes were demeaning to women and made it

difficult for her to believe her complaint was being taken seriously.

In its report to the Authority, the station advised that it had apologised to Ms

Medusa and that the announcers had "reviewed their presentation standards". It also

advised that it was unable to provide a copy of the tape of the broadcast as its logger

system had developed a fault and had not recorded the entire period.

Expressing extreme scepticism about the reasons for not providing a tape, Ms Medusa

sought a review of the action taken.

Despite the fact that no tape of the broadcast is available, the Authority notes that the

details about the offending broadcast are not in contention. The station has upheld the

complaint that the remarks were inappropriate and has offered an apology to the

complainant. It has also drawn the matter to the announcers' attention, and provided

an assurance that they were aware of Ms Medusa's concerns.

In the Authority's view, the station has responded appropriately to the complaint,

first by acknowledging there was a breach of standards, and secondly, by offering an

apology. It advises that it expects the station's assurances to Ms Medusa regarding

the announcers' behaviour to be honoured and does not expect that announcers will

comment adversely on legitimate complaints, properly made. It also expects the

station's recording equipment to be repaired so that if complaints are made in the

future, a tape of the offending broadcast will be available. On this occasion it was not

so critical since the complaint was upheld by the broadcaster and there was no dispute

about the content of the item broadcast. Accordingly the Authority declines to

uphold the complaint that the action taken by Radio One was not sufficient.

With respect to Ms Medusa's comments about the logo on the stationery, the

Authority notes that its jurisdiction extends only to material which is broadcast, and

that it has no mandate to comment on other matters.

For the reasons set forth above, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint

that the action taken by Radio One was not sufficient.

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Sam Maling
Chairperson
18 September 1997

Appendix

Rachel Medusa's Complaint to Radio One 91 FM (Dunedin) - 10 July 1997

Rachel Medusa of Dunedin complained to Radio One 91 FM that comments made by

two announcers on its morning show on 9 July were inappropriately sexist and

discriminated against women.

She complained that their discussion about a film was sexually explicit and objectified

women's bodies. She considered it unacceptable that women listeners were forced to

listen to such material and believed it amounted to harassment. She suggested it would

be a different story if it were men's genitals which were being discussed.

Ms Medusa reported that she had been advised by the acting station manager that the

announcer's banter was "light listening" and that they were just joking. She wrote:

I don't find harassment of women and childish behaviour right.

Radio One 91 FM's Response to the Formal Complaint - undated

In its response, the station agreed that the comments regarding the film "Beneath the

Valley of the Ultravixens" were inappropriate.

The Station Manager advised that the announcers had read her letter and were

concerned about the issues it raised, and about how their show might be perceived.

They would endeavour to keep the show more balanced in the future.

The Station Manager conveyed his apologies to Ms Medusa.

Ms Medusa's Referral to the Broadcasting Standards Authority - 18 July 1997

Dissatisfied with Radio One's response, Ms Medusa referred her complaint to the

Broadcasting Standards Authority under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

First, Ms Medusa drew the Authority's attention to the logo on the stationery of

Radio One, which included the phrase "I was made for loving you baby." She asked:

How can a woman feel her words were listened to and considered when

confronted with the information that "I was made for loving you baby."

She pointed out that men were not confronted with such overt sexism in their daily

lives, and asked the Authority to be part of making New Zealand society equal for

men and women.

Radio One 91 FM's Response to the Authority - 24 July 1997

Radio One acknowledged that the comments made in the broadcast were

inappropriate, and advised that an apology was conveyed and the announcers

concerned had reviewed their presentation standards.

The Station Manager advised he no longer had a recording of the broadcast. He

explained that although he had heard the tape, it had been wiped when a fault

developed in the logger. An indication of the content was given in the complainant's

letter, he added. He noted that the comments referred to a movie which was screening

as part of the Incredibly Strange Film Festival promoted by the station.

Ms Medusa's Final Comment - 1 August 1997

Ms Medusa was sceptical about the station's explanation for not having a copy of the

tape. She pointed out that she had phoned the station about the complaint and thus

there was time for the tape to be saved.

Apparently, Ms Medusa advised, the announcers had referred to her complaint on air,

accompanied by sneering and laughing, as it was the only complaint that they had had.

She wrote:

It sickens me to think that these people are not more aware of their position.

To provide young people with sexist/abusive stereotypes is abusing Radio

One's responsibility as a radio station.

In Ms Medusa's view, the station had not taken her complaint seriously and did not

realise it was the view of a percentage of their listeners. She thought the station

should use the complaint to become sensitive to what its listeners wanted.