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
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
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
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).
Promo for Nothing Trivial. Promo broadcast during news and characters used low-level offensive language. Not upheld (good taste and decency, children's interests).
Police Ten 7: “Bad Boys”. Episode of reality TV series about work of New Zealand police looked at “bad boys’ most memorable moments” and contained coarse language and nudity, both of which were censored in the programme. Not upheld (good taste and decency, law and order, discrimination and denigration, responsible programming, children’s interests, violence).
One News. Item reported on Australia’s recent attempts to reduce pollution by introducing a carbon tax scheme. Not upheld (accuracy).
American Pie Presents: Beta House. Movie contained nudity and sex scenes. Declined to determine (recording of broadcast unavailable).
One News. Item used the word “gay” in the context of reporting on influx of homosexual couples from Australia getting married in New Zealand. Declined to determine (complaint frivolous and trivial).