One Network News. Item about a just released psychiatric patient who gave birth to a baby on a Porirua street very early in the morning. Complaint from the Minister that the item was inaccurate as the woman was not "just released" but had discharged herself from hospital some five weeks before the birth. Further, the birth had happened some two weeks before the news item. Upheld (accuracy, responsible programming). Not upheld (G13 discrimination and denigration and G19 fairness). No order.
Wellington's Pirate FM afternoon programme. Announcer referred abusively to a nephew from Auckland who was visiting his two sons and threatened to inflict violence on him with a baseball bat. He also broadcast the address where his sons were living with his former wife, whom he described as "the ex-slug". Upheld (good taste and decency, law and order, privacy). Not upheld (discrimination and denigration). Not relevant (responsible programming (re children)). Order ($1,500 compensation to complainant).
Re award of costs for decision 1995-151, 1996-152. Not considered appropriate in all the circumstances.
Newstalk ZB wrap-up programme. Comments on breastfeeding another woman's baby, an issue which had been discussed earlier in the week on the panel programme Yardstick. Not upheld (privacy).
3 Network News. Footage of Michael Laws, adviser to the New Zealand First political party, opening his front door while wearing his night attire began a news item about the resignation of two New Zealand First candidates. The item also included an interview with Mr Laws filmed later in the day. Complaint about what he termed TV3's unethical behaviour and the alleged breach of his privacy. Not upheld (privacy).
Goodnight Sweetheart promo. Complaint about the "general crudity" of a promo broadcast in PGR time and the use of a particular phrase. Upheld (good taste and decency). No order.
One Network News. Item reported that Tauranga's Bethlehem College had banned "Bad Jelly the Witch" because and banned every mention of a witch. Upheld (accuracy). No order.
60 Minutes. Interview of Stuart Scott, the author of a book entitled "The Travesty of Waitangi". Not upheld (balance, accuracy, fairness, discrimination and denigration).
Shortland Street. Episode showed a character's mock crucifixion and subsequent imitation of self-mutilation with a knife. Not upheld (good taste and decency, responsible programming, children's interests).
Newsnight. Items which investigated the claimed increase in popularity in strip shows in America featured a strip club in Auckland's Fort Street. Declined to determine (balance).