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Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Paul Holmes Breakfast – host discussed recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai – made various comments about Muslims and terrorism – allegedly in breach of controversial issues, accuracy, fairness, and discrimination and denigration standards Findings Standard 7 (discrimination and denigration) – programme was an opinion piece – lacked the necessary invective to cross the threshold for denigration – not upheld Standard 4 (controversial issues - viewpoints) – programme was not a news, current affairs or other factual programme – standard not applicable – not upheld Standard 5 (accuracy) – programme was not a news, current affairs or other factual programme – standard not applicable – not upheld Standard 6 (fairness) – not unfair to Muslim people – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision....

ComplaintZG FM Gisborne – offensive language – "eff–off" – "piss off" – reference to complainant on air FindingsPrinciples 1 and 7 – in context – no uphold Principle 5 – reference ambiguous – no uphold CommentBroadcaster’s complaints procedure and process for recording programmes unsatisfactory This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary During the morning programme on 22 September 2000, an announcer on Gisborne’s ZG FM said "eff-off". On 20 October he said that by playing a certain song, he would "piss off" some colleagues. After a listener called the station to complain about his language, the announcer made reference to her complaint on 25 October, saying "I can’t say ‘piss off’ or Mrs Pascall will get hacked off about it....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 Newstalk ZB – news item reported that Nicholas Keesing undertook an election smear campaign “to get revenge” – allegedly in breach of controversial issues, accuracy and fairness standards – broadcaster upheld complaint under Standards 5 and 6 – action taken allegedly insufficient Findings Standard 4 (controversial issues – viewpoints) – item did not discuss a controversial issue of public importance – not upheld Standard 5 (accuracy) and Standard 6 (fairness) – broadcaster upheld complaint under two standards and offered corrective statement – action taken sufficient – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A news item broadcast on Newstalk ZB at 12pm on 23 November 2008 reported that “Newstalk ZB can now reveal what lies at the bottom of a smear campaign, in one of the country’s key electorates during the Election....

Summary An item on the Larry Williams Programme focussed on the resignation from the Alliance Party of Mr Frank Grover MP. The item included interviews with Mr Jim Anderton, the leader of the Alliance Party, and with Mr Grover. It was broadcast on Newstalk ZB on 11 June 1999, commencing at about 6. 15 pm. Both John Bryant, the Executive Director of the Christian Heritage Party, and Adam Claasen of Christchurch complained to The Radio Network Limited, the broadcaster, that the item was untruthful, unfair, deceptive and unbalanced. Mr Grover had agreed to the interview on the basis that Mr Anderton was not "on the call at the same time", they wrote, but by including Mr Anderton in the interview, the host had breached that agreement....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Paul Holmes Breakfast – segment where host played the role of an Iraqi terrorist – comments about American soldiers and a British hostage being held by terrorists – allegedly breached good taste and decencyFindingsPrinciple 1 (good taste and decency) – seen in context, item not in poor taste or indecent – satirical and ironic comment on situation in Iraq – presenter known for satirical approach to issues – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A segment called “World City” was broadcast on Newstalk ZB as part of the Paul Holmes Breakfast on 29 September 2004. At the time of the broadcast, British man Kenneth Bigley had been captured by Iraqi terrorists. In the “World City” segment, the presenter (Paul Holmes) imitated Abu Massad Al Zarqari, an Iraqi terrorist....

ComplaintNewstalk ZB – Paul Holmes Breakfast – host used term “house niggers” – offensive language – unfair – integrity of current affairs compromised – encouraged denigration FindingsPrinciple 1 – not offensive in context – no uphold Principle 6 – not relevant Principle 7 – no discrimination – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] During an interview with the Prime Minister, Paul Holmes, as the host of the Paul Holmes Breakfast on Newstalk ZB, referred to a comment made by Titewhai Harawira, a Maori political activist. The host said that the Government’s Maori Members of Parliament had been referred to as “house niggers” and asked a question related to the comment. The comment was broadcast at around 7. 40am on 3 September 2003....

SummaryNews broadcasts by Newstalk ZB and Classic Hits FM between 6. 00–9. 00 am on 16 October 1998 reported that a Victoria University student had been forced to leave her employment in England as a nanny because of sexual advances by her employer, Mr Mohammed Al-Fayed. Mr Wilkinson complained to The Radio Network Limited, the broadcaster, that the reports were inaccurate. In an interview he had heard with the student on another radio station, she had emphasised cultural differences and human rights matters as being the reasons for leaving her employment, he said. The sexual slant placed on the story by the broadcaster did not assist understanding of another culture, he wrote, and it was a disservice to the student. Responding, TRN said that the story, quoting the student as having had sexual advances made to her by Mr Al-Fayed, had been given widespread local and international coverage....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Newstalk ZB – talkback – complainant expressed opposition to proposal for crematorium in Waikanae – host frequently interrupted with questions and criticisms – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, unbalanced, unfair, and denigrated the elderly Findings Principle 1 (good taste and decency) – not applicable – not upheld Principle 4 (balance) – range of views advanced – not upheld Principle 5 (fairness) – not unfair in robust talkback environment – not upheld Principle 7 and guideline 7a (denigration) – not applicable – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] The proposal to build a crematorium in central Waikanae was an issue on the talkback session hosted by Justin du Fresne on Newstalk ZB on the morning of 4 December 2006....

ComplaintNewstalk ZB – Leighton Smith – comment on fax received from Credo Society regarding standards in the media – denigrated because of beliefs FindingsPrinciple 5 – not dealt with unfairly – no disrespect shown – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary Parts of a fax from Mrs Barbara Faithfull of the Credo Society Inc were read out by host Leighton Smith on Newstalk ZB on 26 July 2000 at about 8. 48am. The host suggested that there was not a lot of support for her views. Barbara Faithfull, secretary of the Credo Society Inc, complained to The Radio Network Ltd, the broadcaster, about what she called the derisive tone in which her fax had been read. She objected to the host’s failure to refer to some matters she had raised in her faxed letter....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Mike Yardley Mornings – Newstalk ZB – discussion about financial problems at Christchurch Hospital – allegedly unbalanced, inaccurate and socially irresponsible FindingsPrinciple 4 (balance) – balanced discussion in talkback context – not upheld Principle 6 (accuracy) – one comment about acute demand provision inaccurate – upheld Principle 7 (social responsibility) – balanced discussion in talkback context – not upheld No Order This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] On 29 April 2004, Newstalk ZB talkback host Mike Yardley introduced the Mike Yardley Mornings show with a discussion about financial problems at Christchurch hospital....

ComplaintZMFM – game – "Know Your Dairy" – denigrated foreigners – upheld by broadcaster under Principle 7 – action taken insufficient FindingsAction taken insufficient – unsatisfactory complaints procedure – warning Principle 8 – tape retention inadequate OrderBroadcast of statement This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary A game called "Know Your Dairy" was broadcast on 91ZM on 9 April 2001. The game invited contestants to call dairy owners to ask a basic question about New Zealand. The telephone calls were then broadcast. S E Burridge complained to The Radio Network Ltd, the broadcaster, that the game was racist and xenophobic. TRN advised that the game was no longer a part of 91ZM broadcasts, and apologised to the complainant for offending her. Dissatisfied with the action taken by TRN, Miss Burridge referred the complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989....

ComplaintPaul Holmes Breakfast on Newstalk ZB – derogatory comment about Catholic Church and the Pope FindingsPrinciple 7 and Guideline 7a – intemperate and populist contribution to global debate – high threshold not reached – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] Referring to some recent publicity about priests who were paedophiles, the host of Paul Holmes Breakfast on Newstalk ZB made some highly critical comments about the Catholic Church and the Pope, including describing the Church as rotten to its core. The comments were broadcast at about 8. 20am on 1 July 2002. [2] Kathleen and Patrick McCartain, and Irene Angus, complained to The Radio Network Ltd (TRN), the broadcaster, that while they accepted critical opinion, they did not accept comments in which their faith and beliefs were "ridiculed so blatantly"....

Complaint under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Paul Holmes Breakfast – Newstalk ZB – Israeli Prime Minister described as the “butcher Sharon” – allegedly offensive, unbalanced, unfair and incited racial disharmonyFindings Principle 1 (good taste and decency) – editorial context – not upheld Principle 4 (balance) – does not apply to opinion pieces – not upheld Principle 5 (unfair) – acceptable opinion – not upheld Principle 7 and Guideline 7a (encouraged discrimination) – not racial epithet – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] At about 7. 45am on 23 March 2004, the host of Paul Holmes Breakfast on Newstalk ZB, Paul Holmes, commented about the killing by the Israelis of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Among other critical remarks, the host described the Prime Minister of Israel as “the butcher Sharon”....

Summary"Boy racers" were encouraged by radio station 91 ZM on 14 October to turn up at a named City Councillor’s home address and to play their car stereos loudly to protest about the Councillor’s stand on noise control in Palmerston North. Ross Warren complained to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 4(1)(c) that the broadcast had disclosed the Councillor’s address and had encouraged people to harass him. In a brief response, the station argued that it had been reasonable to disclose the Councillor’s address to enable a protesting group to make a legitimate point against a crusade by a local politician. Furthermore, it noted, the station had acted responsibly by dealing with complaints received and the protest had been cancelled. The Councillor had accepted the station’s apology and had agreed to meet with drivers at a later time, it wrote. It recommended that the complaint not be upheld....

ComplaintNewstalk ZB – offensive language – illegal – callous remark about shooting militia men in East Timor FindingsPrinciple 1 – flippant remark but not so offensive as to breach – no uphold Principle 2 – no uphold Principle 7 – not applicable This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary Host Larry Williams, when listing topics for discussion on his programme, mentioned that New Zealanders had shot a militia man in East Timor, adding: "There’s plenty left to go. " This comment was broadcast during his programme on Newstalk ZB at about 4. 12pm on 27 September 2000. Mrs J K Sanders complained to The Radio Network Ltd, the broadcaster, that the host’s remark was "totally unacceptable and objectionable". In her view, the remark was contrary to the law and to standards of common decency. She requested that the station take "appropriate action" against the host....

Complaint Newstalk ZB – Discussion about leaky building syndrome – caller "Graham" referred to two leaking problems with his new home in Newlands – complainant developer in Newlands – only one leaky building problem – "Graham" an employee of TRN – unfair Findings Principle 5 – complainant neither identified nor identifiable – not referred to – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] The leaky building syndrome was one of the topics discussed on Newstalk ZB broadcast in Wellington on the morning of 18 September 2002. A caller "Graham" described leaky building problems with his bathroom and his deck in his new home in a development in the Wellington suburb of Newlands. [2] Kingdom Residential Housing Ltd, through its solicitors, complained to The Radio Network Ltd, the broadcaster, that the item was unfair....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Overnight Talkback– during a discussion about gay marriage, the host described the complainant, a caller, as “incredibly rude” – host read out complainant’s fax and repeated the word “homophobic” but spelled out “faggot” – allegedly in breach of fairness and discrimination and denigration standardsFindingsStandard 6 (fairness) – complainant not treated unfairly – not upheld Standard 7 (discrimination and denigration) – host’s use of the word “homophobic” and spelling out of “faggot” did not encourage the denigration of, or discrimination against, any section of the community – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Introduction [1] During Overnight Talkback, broadcast on Newstalk ZB on 6 June 2012, the host and callers discussed the issue of gay marriage. The host spoke to a caller, “David from Queenstown”, whom he described as “incredibly rude”, before terminating the call....

ComplaintNewstalk ZB – talkback – topic – global warming – complainant tried to contribute – described as idiot – named as Brian – call terminated Findings Principle 3 – identity not revealed – no uphold Principle 4 – insufficient information – decline to determine Principle 5 – opportunity to terminate call without rudeness not taken – broadcaster irresponsible and abusive – uphold – no Order This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] Global warning was a topic discussed on talkback on Newstalk ZB, hosted by Leighton Smith, on the morning of 16 July 2001. At about 11. 12am, the complainant telephoned, gave his name as "Jim", and challenged the views advanced by a professor who had been interviewed, and who had disputed the global warming theory....

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision. ]Coast FM News reported that Zero Commission ‘has been making low ball offers’ to shareholders of various companies. A majority of the Authority upheld the complaint that Zero Commission and its shareholders were treated unfairly as no opportunity was given to respond to the claims or the negative impression created. The minority did not consider the item was unfair as Zero Commission could reasonably expect some commentary from time to time that it would not like or agree with. The Authority unanimously declined to uphold the complaint that the use of the term ‘low ball’ was inaccurate as this was a subjective term, not a point of fact. The controversial issues standard was not applicable because the item focused squarely on one company, not a controversial issue of public importance....