An episode of the children’s cartoon Paddle Pop Begins, broadcast on TV3, contained a main character whose name was the same as a brand of iceblock. A complaint was made that this breached the responsible programming and children’s interests standards, because the programme amounted to advertising targeted at children, for a product high in sugar and fat. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint. It accepted that the ‘Streets’ logo and the name of the character amounted to branding or marketing – however, the programme was clearly a children’s cartoon rather than an “advertisement” for the purposes of guideline 8d.
Not Upheld: Responsible Programming, Children’s Interests
In an episode of the TV3 reality programme Noise Control, a noise control officer was called to a party where there had been complaints about loud music. The complainant, one of the partygoers, was shown in the background and speaking directly to the camera. He complained that this episode and a promo for Noise Control were unfair, inaccurate and irresponsible and breached his privacy. The Authority declined to uphold the complaints. The complainant was properly informed of the nature of his participation and the item did not contain any unfair statements; he was identifiable but no private facts were disclosed in the broadcast and he did not have an interest in solitude or seclusion; the item was not inaccurate or misleading; and the responsible programming standard did not apply.
Not Upheld: Privacy, Accuracy, Fairness, Responsible Programming
A promo for Real Life: The World’s Most Enhanced Woman and Me, a documentary about the presenter’s search for the woman with the largest breast implants, was broadcast during One News, which was unclassified, and contained footage of a number of women with very large breasts. The Authority declined to uphold the complaints that this was in breach of standards relating to good taste and decency and children’s interests. The footage was relatively inexplicit (all the women were clothed, one was wearing a bikini top) and was not salacious; and the content was not unsuitable for child viewers under the guidance of an adult and did not contain any material that warranted a higher classification.
Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Children’s Interests
A pre-recorded item from ABC, broadcast on TVNZ News on TVNZ 7, stated that “your odds” of being hit by a piece of a falling satellite were 1 in 3,200, and then implied that this was more likely than being in a car accident. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that this breached the accuracy standard. While the item was inaccurate in making the statement, the broadcaster could have expected to rely on a reputable news agency and figures supplied by NASA and the effect of the inaccuracy was not so serious as to outweigh the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression.
Not Upheld: Accuracy
Afternoons with Jim Mora, broadcast on National Radio, included a panel discussion about New Zealand First’s decision to drop one of its candidates for drinking his own urine. A panellist commented that Don Brash and John Banks “drink each other’s urine”. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that this breached standards relating to good taste and decency and fairness. The comment was not so offensive as to breach the good taste and decency standard and would not have offended or distressed most listeners, and it did not carry any invective.
Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Fairness
An item entitled “The Prophecy Makers” broadcast on Campbell Live reported on a pamphlet drop and Christian websites’ predictions of an earthquake and tsunami in Christchurch. The reporter sought comment and an apology from Kathy Robinson, the author of an article in the pamphlet. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that the item breached standards relating to controversial issues, accuracy, fairness, and children’s interests. The item legitimately focused on Ms Robinson as she had given her permission for the publication of her prophecy on websites and was the first to have her predictions disseminated; it explicitly stated that it was unclear who had printed the pamphlet; and Ms Robinson was given a reasonable opportunity to comment.
Not Upheld: Controversial Issues, Accuracy, Fairness, Children’s Interests
American Pie Presents: Beta House. Movie contained nudity and sex scenes. Declined to determine (recording of broadcast unavailable).
One News. Item reported on Australia’s recent attempts to reduce pollution by introducing a carbon tax scheme. Not upheld (accuracy).
Promo for Nothing Trivial. Promo broadcast during news and characters used low-level offensive language. Not upheld (good taste and decency, children's interests).
Investigator Special: Jesus the Cold Case. Documentary maker gave his perspective on the life and death of Jesus. The programme challenged traditional Christian view as encapsulated in the gospels. Not upheld (controversial issues, accuracy, fairness, discrimination and denigration).