Search

BEFORE THE BROADCASTING STANDARDS AUTHORITY Decision No: 1996-036 Dated the 28th day of March 1996 IN THE MATTER of the Broadcasting Act 1989 AND IN THE MATTER of a complaint by ARCHIE DIXON of Whangarei Broadcaster TV3 NETWORK SERVICES LIMITED J M Potter Chairperson L M Loates R McLeod A Martin...

BEFORE THE BROADCASTING STANDARDS AUTHORITY Decision No: 1997-138 Decision No: 1997-139 Dated the 13th day of November 1997 IN THE MATTER of the Broadcasting Act 1989 AND IN THE MATTER of complaints by Mrs B of Napier Broadcaster H B MEDIA GROUP LTD of Hastings S R Maling Chairperson L M Loates R McLeod J Withers...

Summary Naked women were shown in promos for the programme The Making of the Human Body broadcast on TV One on 8 November, 9 November and 10 November 1998 between 6. 00–8. 00pm. Ms Hutchings complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the display of naked women in G or PGR time breached the standard requiring the observance of good taste and decency. In her view, it was not appropriate to show images of naked women when children were watching television. She also argued that it was discriminatory to show only naked women and no naked men. TVNZ noted that the promo included an extract from the opening sequence of each programme which showed men and women of every age, many of whom were naked....

Summary The lead story on One Network News on 14 February 1999 at 6. 00pm reported a fatality at Western Springs Speedway in Auckland. Footage of the accident showed a spectacular crash before the driver was flung out, crushed by his car and killed. That footage was repeated during the item. Mr Allison of Nelson complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the footage was offensive, distasteful, and showed a callous disregard for those close to the victim and for all viewers. He objected to its graphic nature and the fact that it was shown without warning during early evening family viewing time. TVNZ responded that the item’s emphasis was on how the accident had occurred and why the driver’s safety harness had failed. The accidental death was, it contended, a matter of public concern and interest, particularly as it occurred at a public event....

Summary An episode of It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, based around a fictional troupe of British soldiers in Burma in World War II entertaining fellow soldiers on stage, included a number of "Indian" characters. The episode was broadcast on Prime TV on 2 May 1999 at 8. 05 pm. Mr Theodore complained to Prime Television New Zealand Limited, the broadcaster, that the episode portrayed Indian people as inherently inferior, that a white actor wearing brown make-up to impersonate an "Indian look and accent" breached norms of decency and good taste, and that the broadcaster had failed to inform viewers of the accuracy of factual matters raised in the episode. Prime TV responded that the programme was not factual, and that within the context of its farcical approach it had not breached norms of taste or decency....

Summary A documentary entitled The London Connection was broadcast on TV One on 16 August 1999 beginning at 8. 30pm. Host Gary McCormick interviewed New Zealanders living and working in London. He also visited a club frequented by young New Zealanders where they were shown drinking heavily and where young women were seen dancing topless. Mr Boyce complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the footage showing "several inebriated, albeit buxom" women dancing topless breached the good taste standard. TVNZ responded first that the sequence to which Mr Boyce objected was broadcast near the end of the hour-long programme, well after the widely-recognised watershed. It agreed that the behaviour of the young women was coarse and vulgar, but did not consider that it exceeded the good taste standard in the context in which it was shown. It declined to uphold the complaint....

ComplaintNine to Noon – offensive language – "nigger" FindingsPrinciple 1 – context – used to explain another word’s offensiveness – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary The word "nigger" was used by presenter Kim Hill in Nine to Noon broadcast on National Radio on 3 May 2000 just after 11. 00am. John Lowe complained to Radio New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the use of the word was unacceptable and unnecessary on public radio, and breached the good taste and decency standard. RNZ explained that the word arose in the context of a discussion about the origin of the word "munted" which had apparently been used on the programme earlier that day. According to a fax received from a South African listener, the word "munted" had the same derogatory meaning as "nigger"....

Complaint Strassman – offensive language – "fuck" – interview with Rima Te Wiata breached her privacy – offensive behaviourFindings(1) Standard G2 – context – warning – AO time and classification – no uphold (2) Privacy – no private facts revealed – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary An episode of the comedy programme Strassman was broadcast on TV2 at 9. 30pm on 16 May 2000. Brian Shearer complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, about the repeated use of the word "fuck" during the programme, and an interview with Rima Te Wiata, which he considered breached her privacy and was in bad taste due to questions asked about her sex life. TVNZ responded that the programme was intended as adult entertainment, began well after the watershed, carried an AO certificate and was preceded by a warning about strong language....

ComplaintSong "You Suck" – Yeastie Girls – offensive language – oral sex described – 8. 30pm – student radio – targeted to gay and lesbian listenersFindings Principle 1 – despite context, content exceeded community expectations of good taste – upholdOrderCosts to Crown in the sum of $250 This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary During a programme entitled Around the Bend broadcast on 95bFM on 30 April 2000 at about 8. 30pm a song by the Yeastie Girls entitled "You Suck" was played. It concerned oral sex. Barbara Faithfull, on behalf of the Credo Society, complained to 95bFM, the broadcaster, that the song was "nauseatingly indecent, morally repugnant and human degradation personified" and breached broadcasting standards. In its response, 95bFM reported that this was a "joke song" created in response to the "overt sexism" of songs by the Beastie Boys....

Complaint Holmes – interview with Prime Minister about refugees – reference to Nauru as a pile of bird shit – offensive language – inappropriate for school children FindingsStandard G2 – crude but acceptable in context – no uphold Standard G12 – minimal impact on children – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] Nauru was described as a "pile of bird shit" by the presenter on Holmes when interviewing the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition about the Government’s decision to take 150 refugees from the Tampa. The item was broadcast on Holmes on 3 September 2001 beginning at 7. 00pm. [2] Alfred Howard complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the phrase was totally inappropriate and offensive. He expressed particular concern that school children would hear the language....

Dated: 6 July 2010 Decision No:  2010-001 Complainants GILLIAN ASHURST of Canterbury MARIAN DEAN of Whanganui DR NANCY HIGGINS of Waikouaiti JANET HUTCHINSON of Hastings PETER LOVE of Featherston KAREN MCCONNOCHIE  of Auckland ROBERT PARAMO of Wellington PEOPLE FIRST NEW ZEALAND INC of Wellington MARK SHANKS of Kaitaia TREVOR SHASKEY of Gisborne G SNEATH of Auckland Broadcaster TELEVISION NEW ZEALAND LTD broadcasting as TV One                                   Members Peter Radich, Chair Tapu Misa Mary Anne Shanahan Leigh Pearson...

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989The Toast Breakfast Show – host commented on Telecom’s outsourcing of call centre work overseas – made reference to “stupid Filipino operators” – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and discrimination and denigration FindingsStandard 7 (denigration and discrimination) – host’s remark lacked the necessary invective to reach threshold for encouraging discrimination or denigration – not upheld Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – host’s comment was an expression of frustration with Telecom and a throw-away line – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] During The Toast Breakfast Show, broadcast on UPFM on the morning of 14 December 2009, one of the hosts commented on Telecom’s outsourcing of call centre work for its 018 directory service....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Back of the Y – programme contained substantial amount of coarse language and staged violence – mocked religion – skit in which a character playing Jesus Christ was beaten up by another playing Santa Claus – skit called ‘Pooman and Wees’ in which the character Pooman threw imitation faeces at his enemies and showed his bottom and genitals from behind – scene where woman was sprayed with imitation faeces and licked some off her hands – character Wees tried to clean the faeces off her by spraying her with imitation urine, but sprayed himself instead – skit called ‘Smoodiver’ in which the male character was shown apparently masturbating – allegedly in breach of good taste and decencyFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – episode contained material and themes that were in bad taste – cumulative effect of material – contextual factors favouring…...

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(ii) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Breakfast – host read out viewer feedback and made comments about a female guest's appearance – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and fairness standards – broadcaster upheld fairness complaint, apologised to complainant and spoke to host and senior staff of Breakfast – action taken allegedly insufficient Findings Standard 6 (fairness) – action taken sufficient – breach of standards handled appropriately by the broadcaster – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] During Breakfast, broadcast on TV One between 6. 30am and 9am on 25 March 2009, a Greenpeace representative was invited onto the programme to discuss the issue of compensation for the health effects of nuclear testing. [2] Following the interview, in a viewer feedback segment at 7....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Q+A – panel discussion about immigration policy in New Zealand – one panellist stated that meeting immigration criteria was not an easy process and included a test for syphilis – host responded “How did the test turn out? I’m sorry! ” – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, privacy and children’s interests FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – question was light-hearted and intended to be humorous – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 3 (privacy) – no private facts disclosed – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – unaccompanied children unlikely to watch news programmes – host’s question would have gone over the heads of child viewers – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 19893 News – item on the effects the recession was having on the adult entertainment industry – contained footage from “Boobs on Bikes” parade – included footage of a male stripper, a topless woman covered in body paint and three women dancing provocatively with one another – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and children’s interests FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – majority – footage of male stripper and women dancing provocatively was marginal – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – majority – item’s introduction gave adequate warning to parents and caregivers to exercise discretion – upholding the complaint would be an unjustified limitation on the broadcaster’s freedom of expression – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Amazon with Bruce Parry – during the programme the presenter said “fuck” – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and children’s interests standardsFindings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – broadcast prior to 8. 30pm watershed – research suggests that the word “fuck” would be unacceptable to majority of New Zealanders in this context – upheldStandard 9 (children’s interests) – broadcaster did not adequately consider the interests of child viewers – upheldNo OrderThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast[1] The programme Amazon with Bruce Parry was broadcast on Prime TV at 7. 30pm on Friday 26 June 2009. It was part of a series that examined the area around the Amazon River, its people, their culture, resource extraction and environmental issues....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Breakfast – contained interview with a psychologist who discussed different personality types in the workplace – presenter used the term “schizos” before and during the interview – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, fairness and discrimination and denigration standards Findings Standard 7 (discrimination and denigration) – comments lacked necessary invective to reach threshold – not upheld Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 6 (fairness) – complainant did not identify any person or organisation he felt had been treated unfairly – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of Breakfast, broadcast on TV One at 6. 30am on Tuesday 22 September 2009, contained an interview with psychologist and employment relations expert Dr Giles Burch. [2] At 7....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989The Take – contained a scene in which a man and a woman were shown having sex on a chair – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency Findings Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – contextual factors – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of a mini-series called The Take was broadcast during TV One’s Sunday Theatre timeslot at 8. 30pm on Sunday 18 October 2009. Twenty-two minutes into the episode, a brief scene of a man and a woman having sex on a chair was shown. The couple were fully clothed. [2] The programme was preceded by the following written and verbal warning: The following programme is rated Adults Only....