The Edge's breakfast show. Complaint that host's reply to a caller who advocated slapping a woman around was so casual as to be offensive. No tape but broadcaster did not dispute that the exchange had taken place. Upheld: majority (good taste and decency). Subsumed (equity in relation to women). No order.
All Decisions
3 National News. Item investigated customer complaints that Telecom had "hijacked" users of other telephone companies. Complaint that item was unbalanced, inaccurate and unfair. Upheld (accuracy). No order.
Radio Pacific. Breakfast host's error in reporting amount new Maori television station would cost to set up: he repeated $90 million even when told it was $19 million. Complaint that comment unbalance, inaccurate and unfair. Upheld (accuracy). No order (action taken by broadcaster sufficient).
One Network News. Item reported on Nursing Council's investigation into a midwife’s management of the delivery of a baby who subsequently died and six adverse findings. There was a further broadcast in which the broadcaster failed to acknowledge the error it had made in its earlier broadcast. Upheld (accuracy, fairness: action taken insufficient). Order ($500 costs to Crown).
Fair Go. The Authority declined to accept the complaint as the referral did not comply with the statutory time limits.
Water Rats. Scene depicted a man seizing a policewoman and threatening her with a knife. Not upheld (violence).
One Network News and Tonight. Item reported that the Act Members of Parliament had been requested by TVNZ to provide particulars of their assets and business interests. Not upheld (fairness, balance).
Midday. Comment referred to relationship between mortgage rates and wholesale interest rates. Complaint that because New Zealand banks operated under a fractional reserve system, the comment was inaccurate and misleading. Not upheld (accuracy, deceptive programme practice).
Ansett Time of Your Life: "Bluffer's Guide". Programme focused on cigar smoking. Complaint that TV3 had employed a deceptive programme practice because it encouraged young people to smoke cigars, and that it had failed to be mindful of the effect of the programme on children. Upheld (children's interests). No order.
The Politically Incorrect Show. Host stated that he was shocked to have been told that a named lecturer at the University of Auckland had forbidden her graduate economics class to invite Sir Roger Douglas or anyone from the Business Roundtable to speak to the class. Considered under good taste and decency, accuracy, fairness. Upheld (fairness). Order (broadcast of statement).