BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

All BSA's decisions on complaints 1990-present

Boyce and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 1999-162

Members
  • S R Maling (Chair)
  • J Withers
  • L M Loates
  • R McLeod
Dated
Complainant
  • Simon Boyce
Number
1999-162
Programme
Nine to Noon
Broadcaster
Radio New Zealand Ltd
Channel/Station
National Radio

Summary

Gary McCormick, a guest on National Radio’s Nine to Noon on 22 July 1999, joked with the host about a news report that day that an IRD employee had offered to forego an audit of some prostitutes in exchange for free sex. Referring to a Civil Aviation Authority report on an air accident reported that day, he joked that he would ask the CAA to provide a warrant for his car.

Mr Boyce complained to Radio New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the exchanges were inappropriate. When he did not receive a response from RNZ within the statutory time limit, he referred the complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s.8(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

The Authority sought RNZ’s comments on the complaint. It reported that it had responded to the complaint 19 working days after its receipt. On the complaint itself, it advised that it investigated the complaint and declined to uphold it.

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

Decision

The members of the Authority have listened to a tape of the item and have read the correspondence which is listed in the Appendix. On this occasion, the Authority determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

The Authority does not consider that the complaint raises issues of broadcasting standards. Pursuant to s.11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989, it therefore declines to determine the complaint in all the circumstances.

 

For the reasons set forth above, the Authority declines to determine the complaint.

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

 

Sam Maling
Chairperson
7 October 1999

Appendix

The following correspondence was received and considered when the Authority determined this complaint:

1.    Simon Boyce’s Complaint to Radio New Zealand Ltd – 24 July 1999

2.    RNZ’s Response to the Formal Complaint – 23 August 1999

3.    Mr Boyce’s Referral to the Broadcasting Standards Authority – 24 August 1999

4.    RNZ’s Response to the Authority – 27 August 1999

5.    Mr Boyce’s Final Comment – 1 September 1999