BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

Summary

An item on Morning Report dealt with genetically modified plants. In some parts of the item, the commentary and opinions were accompanied by music. The item was broadcast on National Radio on 5 May 1999 at about 7.50 am.

Mr Purvis complained to Radio New Zealand Limited that the "mood music" which was played was designed to engender a sense of foreboding. He questioned whether similar music would follow a report about an out-of-favour politician.

RNZ responded that the music drew attention to some of the opinions expressed in the item. The item itself did not pass judgment on whether those opinions were correct or not, it wrote. Some public alarm already existed about the issue of genetic modification of plants, it submitted, and the music highlighted parts of the item but it did not create alarm. It declined to uphold the complaint that the item was unbalanced or unfair.

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

For the reasons below, the Authority declines to uphold 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. In this instance, the Authority determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

Morning Report’s programme on 5 May included an item about genetically modified plants. Some parts of the broadcast were accompanied by music. Mr Purvis complained about what he called the "mood music" which, he wrote, was designed to engender a sense of foreboding. He asked whether listeners could expect similar music to follow a report about "a politician out of favour with the Morning Report team". He concluded that, in his view, the incident continued the decline of news reporting from "factual and researched items, into Spin Doctoring".

RNZ considered the complaint under standard R9 of the Radio Code of Broadcasting Practice. That standard requires broadcasters:

R9  To show balance, impartiality and fairness in dealing with political matters, current affairs and all questions of a controversial nature, making reasonable efforts to present significant points of view either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current interest.

RNZ acknowledged that two pieces of music were played, one at the introduction to the item, and one at its conclusion. The music played had the effect of drawing attention to some of the opinions expressed during the programme, it wrote. In the reporting of the subject and the opinions expressed in it, the item did not pass judgment on whether those views were correct or not, it said. Rather, the music was intended to highlight parts of the story. It was obvious from opinions expressed during the item that public alarm already existed about the issue, and so there could be no question that the use of the music created alarm in any way, RNZ contended.

In declining to uphold the complaint, RNZ reported that it had broadcast a number of programmes relating to the topic of genetic modification of plants, and differing views on the topic had been canvassed within those broadcasts.

When he referred his complaint to the Authority, Mr Purvis challenged RNZ to use the same music to draw attention to the views expressed on a contentious topic by politicians of different persuasions.

In its report to the Authority, RNZ noted that the music was used "in a long and balanced report on the topic of genetically modified plants".

In this instance, the Authority has experienced some difficulty in attempting to apply any of the standards set out in the Codes of Broadcasting Practice for Radio, which were current at the time of the broadcast. While RNZ determined the complaint against standard R9, the Authority does not believe that standard to be apposite. It notes that the complaint was solely concerned with the background music used during an item on genetically modified plants. In its view, the use of the music to underscore the item was not inappropriate. The Authority considers that the broadcaster’s decision to use background music, and the selection it made, were entirely matters of editorial presentation to be determined by the broadcaster. Accordingly, it declines to uphold the complaint.

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

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Sam Maling
Chairperson
13 September 1999

Appendix

The following correspondence has been received and considered by the Authority in the determination of this complaint:

1. Murray Purvis’s Formal Complaint to Radio New Zealand Limited – 5 May 1999

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

3. Mr Purvis’s Referral to the Broadcasting Standards Authority – 6 June 1999

4. RNZ’s Report to the Authority – 25 June 1999