BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

Summary

A representative of a beneficiaries’ organisation was interviewed on National Radio’s Nine to Noon on 21 July 1999 beginning at 9.06am. The interview arose in the context of controversy surrounding the operation of Work and Income New Zealand.

Mr Boyce complained to RNZ, the broadcaster, that the beneficiary representative was not treated fairly because he was not named in the introduction to the item. He contended that the interviewee was discriminated against because of his status as a beneficiary.

RNZ provided a brief response in which it asserted that the interviewee had been dealt with fairly, and that it had acted in a socially responsible manner. It declined to uphold the complaint.

Dissatisfied with RNZ’s response, Mr Boyce referred the complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

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 complained about and have read the correspondence which is listed in the Appendix. On this occasion, it determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

In the context of controversy surrounding Work and Income New Zealand’s dealings with its clients, a representative of a beneficiaries’ organisation was interviewed on National Radio’s Nine to Noon on 21 July 1999 beginning at 9.06am.

Mr Boyce complained that when the interviewee was introduced at the beginning of the programme he was referred to as "a beneficiary" and not by his name. He pointed out that all other guests on the programme that day were introduced by name in the introduction. He complained that it was unacceptable to refer to a nameless beneficiary.

RNZ’s very brief response indicated that it had not upheld the complaint. The interviewee, it said, was treated fairly, and the broadcaster had acted in a socially responsible manner.

In the Authority’s view, this complaint does not raise an issue of broadcasting standards. It therefore declines to determine the complaint pursuant to s.11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

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

1    Simon Boyce’s Complaint to Radio New Zealand Ltd – 21 July 1999

2    RNZ’s Response to the Formal Complaint – 13 (sic) July 1999

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

4    RNZ’s Response to the Authority – 24 August 1999

5    Mr Boyce’s Final Comment – 28 August 1999