National Radio's Focus on Politics. Programme reported on the Ngai Tahu settlement with the Crown and included interviews with several people, representing different viewpoints. Not upheld (action taken sufficient).
Assignment. Documentary about West Auckland used the murder of a young woman by her partner to illustrate the theme of the "Wild West". Complaint that item lacked balance and that by showing and identifying her, it had breached the privacy of the murdered woman's young daughter. Not upheld (balance, privacy).
20/20: "Fighting Back". The programme referred to the recent publication by convicted murderer Gay Oakes of her book "Decline into Darkness" and in reviewing her case and in its context, the unsuccessful defence of battered woman's syndrome, it used footage relating to the crime and the trial. Not upheld (privacy, balance, accuracy).
One Network News. Item dealing with an exhibition dedicated to victims of the Holocaust described the exhibition as being located at the Auckland Museum. Declined to determine (did not raise a matter of standards).
McPhail and Gadsby. Episode depicted a naval officer groping the breasts of a woman cadet while instructing male cadets on what constituted sexual harassment. Not upheld: majority (good taste and decency, children's interests, violence).
Fraser. Item on summary Health reforms included a pre-recorded interview with the Minister of Health, and a studio discussion with representatives from the Auckland CHE and the Coalition for Public Health. Not upheld (balance)
Radio i98FM breakfast programme. Hosts conducted a competition to unravel the meaning of spoken Chinese phrases. Not upheld: action taken sufficient (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration).
Morning Report. Trailer for an item dealing with the illegal importation of the rabbit calici virus stated that comment would be heard on the subject from the Opposition; that comment included speakers for Labour and ACT New Zealand, but no other party. Not upheld (balance).
One Network News. Report on the Auckland City Council's decision not to provide funding for the 1998 Hero Parade was accompanied by footage which showed scenes from the 1997 parade. Not upheld (good taste and decency).
One Network News. Tribute from the Leader of the Labour Party on the death of Princess Diana referred to her as the mother of the future King of New Zealand; two other news items dealt with the controversy involving Judge Beattie's refusal to resign after being acquitted of dishonesty. Complaint that all three items was unbalanced. Declined to determine (balance): complaints frivolous, vexatious or trivial. Order (complainant to pay $300 costs to broadcaster).