Banksie on Sunday. Host's comment that an African serving a jail sentence in New Zealand "should be swinging in trees in the Congo". Upheld: majority (discrimination and denigration). No order.
All Decisions
20/20: "A Mother's Journey". Allegations of professional incompetence, and past sexual misconduct, were made against a psychologist in a programme investigating the events surrounding the suicide of a 16 year old boy. The programme showed extracts from an interview with the psychologist that had been filmed with a hidden camera. The Authority upheld the complaint that the psychologist's privacy had been breached and that aspects of the programme had breached the standards relating to fairness, balance, deceptive programme practice, and distortion. Order ($1500 compensation to the psychologist and broadcast of a brief summary of the decision).
Progressive Green Party advertisement. Radio Station said they would be able to get a list MP. Upheld (accuracy). No order.
20/20: "Blinded by Science". Item examining the alleged link between exposure to Benlate and birth defects – especially anophthalmia (being born without eyes) – featured two children in Christchurch, and mentioned a forthcoming court case in the US dealing with the relationship between Benlate and anophthalmia. An update was broadcast the following week. Not upheld (balance, accuracy, fairness, deceptive programming practice).
Assignment. Programme investigated impact of social policy changes on low income housing. Not upheld (balance).
One Network News. Item reported on reaction to an anti-homosexual film screened at an open meeting of a Hamilton church group. Not upheld (balance).
3 National News. Item discussed New Zealand First's immigration policy. Invited guest on the programme referred to people as having "slit eyes" or "slant eyes". Complaint that comment was was offensive and racist. Not upheld (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration).
Political advertisements on radio and television abbreviated name of ‘NZ National Party’. Complaint that this could be misleading for voters. Not upheld (accuracy).
Samuri Pizza Cats. Complaint that animated cartoon show aimed at children and broadcast on weekdays included sexual connotations. Not upheld (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration).
Local Edition. Presenter's comment about 'Italian style of government'. Not upheld (good taste and decency, accuracy, discrimination and denigration).