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Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989The Simpsons – Halloween episode called "Treehouse of Horror XV" – broadcast at 7pm – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, children's interests, and programme classification standards FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – subsumed under Standard 9 Standard 7 (programme classification) – appropriately classified PGR – not upheld Standard 9 (children's interests) – broadcaster adequately considered interests of child viewers – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A Halloween episode of The Simpsons called "Treehouse of Horror XV" was broadcast on TV3 at 7pm on Tuesday 16 January 2007. The episode contained three stories. The first, "The Ned Zone", involved the character Ned Flanders being hit by a bowling ball and thereafter being able to see how people would die....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 The ComplaintA viewer complained that a sex scene in Nip/Tuck in which one of the lead characters had sex with a patient after asking her to place a paper bag over her head was offensive, and should not have been shown at 10pm during the school holidays. The Broadcaster’s ResponseTVNZ said the sex scene was relatively discreet, and had showed a side view with no nudity. The broadcaster noted that Nip/Tuckwas rated Adults Only and had been restricted to a 9. 30pm showing because it contained a greater degree of sexual activity, potentially offensive language and realistic violence. The broadcaster argued that 9. 30pm was adults only time even during the school holidays. The Authority’s DecisionThe Authority said the scene was important to the storyline as it illustrated the central character's decline into sexual dysfunction....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Classic Hits – promos for breakfast show contained double entendres, some of which had sexual connotations – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and unfair The Authority’s DecisionPrinciple 1 (good taste and decency) – the tone of the promos was light-hearted – sexual connotations were tame and indirect – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] Classic Hits broadcast promos for its Classic Breakfast show on 6, 8 and 9 August 2007. [2] The promo broadcast on 6 August stated "He’s like radio Viagra, getting you up in the morning. The Classic Hits breakfast with Glen Kirby". [3] The promo broadcast on 8 August stated "He’s got the face for radio and she’s got the body. It’s Glen and Jen on the Classic Breakfast"....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Facelift – item featured a skit in which an actor pretending to be a TV presenter interviewed “Ray”, the stingray that killed prominent Australian Steve Irwin – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency Findings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – skit clearly satirical – contextual factors – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of the comedy programme Facelift, broadcast on TV One at 10. 10pm on 10 September 2007, featured a skit of the Campbell Live show in which an actor pretending to be a TV presenter interviewed “Ray”, the stingray that killed prominent Australian Steve Irwin. During the skit, the actor playing the stingray discussed how he had not meant to kill Mr Irwin, and coughed up a piece of khaki clothing (Mr Irwin’s regular attire)....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989The Morning Madhouse – The Edge – caller offered to donate money to fundraiser if hosts performed 20 “burpee” exercises – one host offered instead to “go and give 20 girls herpes” – allegedly in breach of good taste and decencyFindingsPrinciple 1 (good taste and decency) – contextual factors – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast[1] On The Edge radio station on the morning of Friday 16 December 2005, the hosts of The Morning Madhouse show were asking listeners to donate money for their Jingle Bail campaign. Jingle Bail is an annual fundraiser by The Edge which raises money to send a number of deserving children and their caregivers on holiday. [2] At approximately 6....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Campbell Live – item about the forthcoming South Park “Bloody Mary” episode – item’s introduction included references to religious and cultural beliefs and to media freedom, and showed the alcoholic drink called a “Bloody Mary” – allegedly compared menstrual blood with a cocktail in breach of good taste and decencyFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – introduction simply a play on words – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] The debate about the forthcoming screening of the South Park “Bloody Mary” episode was dealt with in an item broadcast on TV3’s Campbell Live at 7. 00pm on 20 February 2006. The introduction began: "Tonight the Catholic Church, media freedom, South Park¸ and the episode that dare not speak its name. For our adult viewers, here's a clue. What's this vodka-based drink called?...

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Fear Factor – episode showed contestant eating live dragonflies – complainant alleged such behaviour was barbaric – allegedly in breach of standards of good taste and decencyFindings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – well-established programme screened after the AO watershed – item distasteful but did not breach standards of good taste and decency – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of Fear Factorwas screened on TV2 at 8. 30pm on 18 December 2004. The broadcaster described Fear Factoras a reality programme in which contestants are challenged to take part in activities which they find frightening, repellent, or disgusting. The programme had a Christmas theme and the segment that was the subject of the complaint involved a contestant eating live dragonflies....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Ultimate Force – British drama series about SAS unit – showed two women topless – later in episode man’s penis also visible – allegedly in breach of standards of good taste and decencyFindings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – no breach in light of contextual factors – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] Ultimate Force, a British drama centred around the elite British SAS Red Troop unit, was broadcast on TV One at 8:30pm on 18 January 2005. The episode contained two main storylines; first, the efforts of a female soldier to become the first woman admitted to the SAS, and secondly, a hijack of an aeroplane by a group seeking political change in Tibet....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989One News item – visit to Wellington by Prince Charles – two topless women protesters shown – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and children’s interestsFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – context – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – item not harmful to children – context – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An item on One News broadcast on TV One at 6pm on 8 March 2005 reported on the visit to Wellington by Prince Charles. The item included a public function which had been disrupted by two women protesters, both of whom were topless. Complaint [2] Alexander Watts complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the item had not maintained standards consistent with the observance of good taste and decency or children’s interests....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989One News – item on the death of a jockey resulting from a fall – item showed images of the fall – allegedly in breach of standards relating to good taste and decency, programme classification, children’s interests and violenceFindings Standard 1 – news unclassified – images relevant to news item – not graphic – not upheld Standard 7 – contextual factors – no warning required – not upheld Standard 9 – news item – unclassified – not upheld Standard 10 – tragic accident – violence standard not applicable – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] One News broadcast an item on 27 March 2005 at 6pm on TV One concerning the death of a young jockey resulting from his fall during a race....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Eating Media Lunch – showed magazine photograph which reported that celebrities Charlotte Dawson and Nicky Watson had moved into a flat together – photograph included women’s Chihuahua dogs – presenter said “Cricket and Harper have recently moved in together” – allegedly offensive, unfair and deceptiveFindingsDecline to determine complaint under s11(b) of Broadcasting Act 1989This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of Eating Media Lunch, broadcast at 10. 00pm on 5 April 2005, referred to an issue of New Zealand Woman’s Weekly featuring a photograph of celebrity flatmates Charlotte Dawson and Nicky Watson, and their pet dogs. The presenter referred to the dogs and said “Cricket and Harper have recently moved in together”. Complaint [2] Graham Wolf complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the comment was offensive and unfair to the named celebrities....

Dr Patu Hohepa, the Commissioner of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, was co-opted as a person whose qualifications and experience were likely to be of assistance to the Authority. He took part in the Authority’s deliberations but the decision is that of the permanent members. Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Toi Whakaari – kapa haka group performing haka which included a whakapohane – exposed buttocks – allegedly unsuitable for childrenFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – context – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – traditional cultural event presented in a stylised manner – not disturbing or alarming for children – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A kapa haka group performing a haka was shown in an episode of Toi Whakaari broadcast on Māori Television at about 6. 40pm on 9 May 2005....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Dancing with the Stars – remarks made by hosts considered offensive and blasphemous – allegedly in breach of standards relating to good taste and decencyFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – comments mild and light hearted – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] TV One broadcast Dancing with the Stars on 19 June 2005 at 8. 30pm. The two hour special was the finale of an ongoing ballroom dancing competition which partnered New Zealand celebrities with professional dancers. The show was hosted by a female dancer and a well known male television personality. [2] At one point in the show, the male host made a remark about a performance, commenting “on a Sunday too! ”, followed by “Hail Mary!...

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989National Radio – Nine to Noon – dispute about whether the presenter used the word “lie” or “line” – the former allegedly offensiveFindingsPhrase used was “that is a desperate line” – not in breach of broadcasting standards – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] On National Radio on 9 September 2005 on the Nine to Noon programme, National Party deputy leader Gerry Brownlee said, referring to Radio New Zealand, “this is Radio Labour at its best”. [2] In response to this comment, the presenter said either “that is a desperate line” or “that is a desperate lie”. Complaint [3] Michael Gibson said that he had heard the presenter respond “that’s a lie”. He considered the presenter’s comment was damaging and offensive. He stated that it breached “at least one” of the broadcasting standards....

Complaint under s. 8(1)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 "Threat" by hip hop artist Jay-Z – lyrics include references to “niggers”, “shit” and “fuck” – alleged breach of good taste and decencyFindings Principle 1 (good taste and decency) and Guideline 1a – broadcaster removed song from play list – tantamount to acknowledgement that song breached standards – action taken sufficient – decline to determine standards complaintThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] The song Threat by hip hop artist Jay-Z was broadcast on Radio Active 89FM at around 9. 10am on Tuesday 17 February 2004. Complaint [2] Michael O’Callaghan complained to Radio Active Ltd, the broadcaster, that he had heard a song broadcast at around 9. 10am which contained “the most explicit, disgusting and inappropriate obscene lyrics I have ever heard on public radio”....

Complaints under s....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Paul Holmes Breakfast – Newstalk ZB – reference to Israelis – “they’ve got balls but no foreskins” – allegedly offensive and derogatory Findings Principle 1 (good taste and decency) – context – not upheld Principle 7 and Guideline 7a (encouraging denigration or discrimination) – neither denigration nor discrimination seriously encouraged – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] While speaking with regular Sydney correspondent Steve Price about terrorism in the Middle East among other matters, the host of Paul Holmes Breakfast (Paul Holmes) commented about the Israelis: “They’ve got balls but no foreskins”. The comment was made on Newstalk ZB at about 6. 55am on Tuesday 23 March 2004. Complaint [2] Graham Wolf complained to The Radio Network Ltd, the broadcaster, that the comment was offensive....

Complaints under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Holmes – interview with father of escaped prisoner – used words “arsehole” and “bugger” – allegedly offensiveFindings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – context – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A father whose son had escaped from prison was interviewed in an item broadcast on Holmes at 7. 00pm on 22 April 2004. The father, whose home had been burgled by his son on at least three occasions, appealed to his son to give himself up. During the interview, the father used the word “arsehole” and also used the word “bugger” at least three times. Complaint [2] Gary Welch and Don Campbell each complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the use of the word “arsehole” was unacceptable and in breach of the standard requiring good taste and decency....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Holmes – interview with central figure in reality television show There’s Something About Miriam – discussed her transsexual status and contact with contestants on show – allegedly breach of good taste and decency, programme classification and children’s interests FindingsPrinciple 1 (good taste and decency) – contextual factors – nothing indecent or distasteful to the extent of breaching standard – interview conducted appropriately given subject matter – not upheld Principle 7 (programme classification) – programme news or current affairs – not classified – was sufficiently mindful of the possibility of child viewers – no warning required as contents adequately signposted – not upheld Principle 9 (children’s interests) – news and current affairs programme not directed at children – interview conducted appropriately – sufficiently mindful of children’s interests – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision....