One Network News. A number of violent incidents from previous "State of Origin" rugby league matches were shown in a preview to the sports news, and during the sports report itself, between 6.00–7.00pm. Complaint that TVNZ had glorified the incidents and had breached standards relating to the protection of children, truth and accuracy and violence. Not upheld (accuracy, children's interests, violence).
Breakfast. Exchange between hosts touched on the relative merits of soccer as compared to rugby. Complaint that comments from one of the hosts showed bias. Not upheld (balance, fairness, discrimination).
Remington Steele. Episode depicted a woman brandishing a knife pursuing another woman and threatening her. Not upheld (violence).
One Network News. The touring English rugby team was described as "the pitiful Poms" by a sports reporter. Not upheld (discrimination and denigration).
Breakfast. Item reviewed the contents of leading women’s magazines published that week and a studio guest referred to Paula Yates, who was featured in a magazine, as being known largely "for shagging the famous". Not upheld (good taste and decency).
Holmes. Item focused on a haemophiliac Christchurch toddler who had suffered severe brain haemorrhages and was brain damaged. Canterbury Health complained that a video and statement they had provided to the broadcaster were not used, so the programme's failed to include essential points that had been raised in them. Complaint that this breached the fairness, accuracy and balance standards. Upheld: majority (balance). No order.
Best of Assignment. The programme was initially broadcast on Assignment in April 1997, and the rescreening in December updated the information contained in the original broadcast by the use of a postscript in the form of a studio piece at the end of the broadcast. Complaint that the programme reflected a negatively biased view of the industry, and the postscript was inadequate in view of the events which had occurred in recent months. Not upheld (balance, accuracy, fairness, responsible programming).
Holmes. item focused on two teenage girls whose mother had died, owing about $2,000 to Adelphi Finance. The broadcast related how the girls’ father had moved in to care for them and how, shortly after, furniture in their house had been repossessed on behalf of that company. Upheld (balance). Not upheld (accuracy, fairness, editing).
One Network News and Tonight. Item reported on the trial of a man who had been charged with murder, and several counts of sexual violation. The item referred to evidence given that day by a witness who had been raped by the man ten years previously. The report was repeated unchanged during Tonight. Upheld (privacy). Orders ($3,000 compensation to woman, $500 costs to Crown).
One Network News. News item referred to some of the recommendations in the government’s review on firearms, reporting that members of the anti-gun lobby were dissatisfied with the government’s lack of progress in implementing the recommendations. Not upheld (accuracy: action taken sufficient; balance).