BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

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Summary

A report on Maori Housing was discussed on RNZ’s Morning Report on 12 January 1999. A range of differing views was expressed on the matter.

Mr Stemson complained to Radio New Zealand Ltd about the accuracy of comments made by Hon Wyatt Creech (the Deputy Prime Minister) when he spoke about the accommodation supplement.

Dealing with the complaint as one which alleged a lack of balance, RNZ said that there was no record of Mr Creech being interviewed. As the complaint seemed concerned with the adequacy of policy, RNZ suggested to Mr Stemson that he express his opinion directly to the Minister or his MP.

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

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

Decision

The members of the Authority have read the correspondence which is listed in the Appendix. As RNZ has no record of broadcasting the item complained about, there is no tape for the Authority to review. In this instance, the Authority determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

Mr Stemson complained to RNZ about the accuracy of the comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister, during a broadcast on 12 January, about the accommodation supplement for housing when referring to a report on Maori Housing. Mr Stemson sought an apology for what he called past inaccuracies, and a commitment to accuracy in the future.

Pointing out to the complainant that he neither indicated the standard which he considered had been contravened, nor the time of day of the broadcast complained about, RNZ said it was unable to find any reference to an interview with the Deputy Prime Minister on the morning of 12 January. Referring to the housing issue, it added:

A review of the programming of that day indicates that there were several views expressed from a number of perspectives, not just that of Government.

As most of his letter criticised government policy, RNZ advised Mr Stemson to write directly to the appropriate politicians.

When he referred his complaint to the Authority, Mr Stemson cited a range of broadcasting standards, and argued that RNZ’s coverage of social welfare issues amounted to government propaganda. In its report to the Authority, RNZ reiterated the point that it was unable to locate the broadcast Mr Stemson had objected to.

The Authority’s Findings

In dealing with this complaint, the Authority, like RNZ, is faced with some difficulty. The formal complaints process set out in the Broadcasting Act requires that the complaint refer to a specific programme. That is not the situation in the present case.

Because there is no reference to a specific broadcast complained about, the Authority declines to determine the present complaint

For the reasons above, the Authority declines to determine the complaint all the circumstances under s.11(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Sam Maling
Chairperson
13 May 1999

Appendix

The following correspondence was received and considered by the Authority in determining this complaint.

1.  Mr M D Stemson’s Formal Complaint to Radio New Zealand Ltd – 19 January 1999

2.  RNZ’s Response to Mr Stemson – 25 February 1999

3.  Mr Stemson’s Referral to the Broadcasting Standards Authority – 8 March 1999

4.  RNZ’s Report to the Authority – 15 April 1999