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ComplaintOne News – images of Kerry Fox and male actor both nude in award winning film "Intimacy" – nudity not decent at 6pm when children watching FindingsStandard G2 – visuals acceptable in context – no uphold Standard G2 – visuals restrained – mindful of children – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary An item broadcast on One News at 6pm on 19 February 2001 advised that New Zealand actress Kerry Fox had won the coveted Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival for her acting in the film "Intimacy". The item showed an extract from the film in which she and a male actor appeared naked....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Close Up – interview with female porn star about her thoughts on feminism and sexuality – included footage of porn star wearing lingerie and clips from her pornographic movies – broadcaster upheld complaint under good taste and decency and children’s interests standards – action taken allegedly insufficient FindingsAction taken – Standards 1 (good taste and decency) and 9 (children’s interests) – serious breach of good taste and decency and children’s interests standards – action taken by broadcaster was insufficient – upheld OrdersSection 13(1)(a) – broadcast statement Section 16(4) – costs to the Crown of $3,000 This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] During an episode of Close Up, broadcast on TV One at 7pm on 11 August 2010, a reporter interviewed a female porn star, Nina Hartley, about her life and thoughts on feminism and sexuality....

ComplaintHolmes – cure for acne – drug identified – side effects not reported – misleading – unbalanced – partial FindingsStandard G6 – not controversial issue to which the standard applies – decline to determine; other standards not relevant ObservationIssue to be considered when free-to-air code is revised This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary The availability of an effective treatment for acne was the subject of an item on Holmes broadcast on TV One on 23 March 2000 between 7. 00–7. 30pm. A dermatologist and a doctor were interviewed, as well as two young people who had both been successfully treated by a named drug. The Pharmaceutical Management Agency Ltd (PHARMAC) complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the broadcast was misleading and unbalanced. In particular it expressed its concern that the broadcaster had been used to promote a prescription medicine....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Family Guy – promo broadcast during 3 News- showed one character asking another to "unbutton your shirt and your pants" – overweight male character shown standing naked in a fountain with his stomach covering his genitals – character shown in another scene bending over and having his bottom pinched by his female boss who said, "Yeah, this is going to work out just fine", after which a fart sound was heard and the woman said "excuse me" – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, responsible programming and children’s interests FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency), Standard 8 (responsible programming) and Standard 9 (children’s interests) – promo was good natured, did not contain adult themes, and was correctly classified – broadcaster adequately considered the interests of child viewers – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision....

ComplaintOne News – footage of atrocities in Chechnya – disturbing and alarming – unsuitable for children FindingsStandard V16 – no warning – broadcaster did not demonstrate it was mindful of children – footage graphic and disturbing – uphold Decision No: 2000-033 distinguished ObservationStandard V12 – not cited – potential uphold No Order This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary Footage of atrocities committed by the Russian army in Chechnya was broadcast on One News on TV One between 6. 00–7. 00pm on 25 February 2000. A body was seen being pushed off a truck, and another was shown being dragged by the heels behind a truck. There were also shots of more bodies being buried by soldiers. John Shrapnell complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that it was unacceptable to show graphic shots of such atrocities in the early evening....

Complaint under section 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Border Patrol – footage of hedgehogs and ducks to which explosives had been attached – footage of wall splattered with blood and feathers – allegedly offensive and unsuitable for childrenFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – context – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – restrained images – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A disc containing images of extreme cruelty to animals was among hundreds of discs seized by a Customs Officer. The seizure was dealt with in an episode of Border Patrol and the item included footage of hedgehogs and ducks which had been tied up and had explosives attached to them. It also included footage of walls splattered with blood and feathers. The episode of Border Patrol was broadcast on TV One at 7. 30pm on 23 May 2005....

Summary An interview with a bisexual author of erotic books was included in 60 Minutes broadcast on TV One on 31 October 1999 between 7. 30–8. 30pm. The woman described herself as "an amateur sexologist" and explained how she had become an expert on the subject of erotica. Mr Hausmann complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the material was pornographic, breached the good taste standard and was unsuitable to be shown at a time when younger viewers could be watching. He also maintained that the item lacked balance because it did not show the serious downside of what he termed sexual addiction. TVNZ responded that the programme had profiled a New Zealand woman who had been approached by a publisher to produce a work on female erotica. It suggested that the complainant had made an unfair assumption by concluding that the woman had a sexual addiction....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 19893 News– item on Russian supermodels – reported on dangers of sexual exploitation in the modelling industry – comment about thirteen-year-old girl being paid to have sex – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and children’s interests standards FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – statement matter-of-fact and relevant to the subject matter – not salacious – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – broadcaster adequately considered the interests of child viewers – contextual factors – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An item on 3 News, broadcast on TV3 at approximately 6. 22pm on 5 July 2010, reported on the worldwide success of Russian supermodels and the dangers of sexual exploitation in the modelling industry....

Summary An excerpt from the performance of the Paul Taylor Dance Company was shown at the conclusion of One Network News broadcast on TV One on 25 November between 6. 00–7. 00pm. Kristian Harang complained to Television New Zealand Ltd that the item, which he said showed naked men, breached acceptable standards of decency and also was offensive to children who might have been watching. TVNZ responded that all of the dancers, both men and women, were wearing patterned tights. It noted that ballet tights were part of the normal attire for both classical and modern dance performances. In the circumstances, it concluded that no standards were relevant. Dissatisfied with TVNZ’s decision, Mr Harang referred the complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989. For the reasons given below, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint....

ComplaintThe Machine – "arse end" used to describe Southland – quiz show aimed at children and teenagers – offensive language – broadcaster not mindful of children FindingsStandard G2 – insufficiently offensive to constitute breach – majority – no uphold Standard G12 – majority – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary One of the presenters of the TV2 quiz show The Machine, during the episode broadcast at 5. 30pm on 17 June 2001, introduced two competing school teams from Northland and from Southland as being "one from the top, one from the arse end" of the country. Robin Duff complained to the broadcaster, Television New Zealand Ltd, that such "crude language" was unacceptable. He said the word would have been acceptable in, for example, a police drama directed to adults, but not in a young person’s quiz show....

ComplaintHolmes – panel discussion on Australian Rugby League’s punishment of John Hopoate who had assaulted other players on the field – humorous approach – breach of good taste and decency – inappropriate for children FindingsStandard G2 – context – topical and newsworthy issue – humour balanced by serious debate – no uphold Standard G12 – current affairs programme – child viewers unlikely to have been watching alone – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary An item broadcast on Holmes on TV One at 7pm on 29 March 2001, focussed on Australian Rugby League’s decision to suspend John Hopoate for twelve weeks. Mr Hopoate had been found guilty of conduct contrary to the true spirit of rugby league for inserting his finger into the backsides of three players during a rugby league match....

ComplaintThe Chimp Channel – animals trained to perform unnatural behaviours – bad taste – bad effect on children – insensitive FindingsStandard G2 – not in bad taste – no uphold Standard G12 – broadcaster apparently mindful of children – no uphold Standard V17 – animals not humiliated or badly treated – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary The Chimp Channel was screened weekly on TV2 at 5. 30pm on Saturdays. It was a comedy series set in a television studio in which most of the actors were animals. Melanie Vivian complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that it was contrary to animal welfare for animals to be trained to perform "unnatural behaviours"....

Complaints under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Babel – young female movie character shown exposing her genitals at approximately 9. 01pm – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, children's interests and responsible programming standards FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – genital nudity brief and indistinct – relevant to storyline – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 9 (children's interests) – broadcaster adequately considered the interests of child viewers – not upheld Standard 8 (responsible programming) – movie correctly classified AO – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A movie called Babel was broadcast on TV One at 8. 30pm on Saturday 14 August 2010. The film followed four seemingly unrelated stories about people living in different parts of the world that eventually intertwined and led back to a powerful gun bought by a Moroccan goat herder....

SummaryWWF Raw and WWF Summerslam were broadcast consecutively on TV4 on 11 September 1999, from 8. 30pm to12. 00am. These programmes featured professional wrestling bouts which had been staged in front of live audiences. Mr Bridgman, Ms Crombie, Mr Little and Mr Bonner complained to TV3 Network Services Ltd, the broadcaster, that aspects of the behaviour shown in the programmes breached programme standards relating to good taste and decency, discrimination against women, and the effect of programmes on children and violence. TV3 explained that the "fights" in the programmes were choreographed, not real. It described the WWF shows as "neither sport nor drama but a kind of pageant" which it compared to a magic show. TV3 rejected every aspect of the complaints. Dissatisfied with TV3’s response, the complainants referred their complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989We Own the Night – sex scene broadcast at approximately 8. 32pm contained footage of woman with hand between her legs, couple kissing, partial nudity, man's hand down woman's pants – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, children’s interests and responsible programming FindingsStandard 9 (children's interests) – sex scene constituted strong adult material – shown too soon after the 8. 30pm Adults Only watershed – upheld Standard 1 (good taste and decency) – programme's content appropriate for AO-classified programme broadcast at 8. 30pm – not upheld Standard 8 (responsible programming) – programme correctly classified AO – not upheld No Order This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] A movie called We Own the Night was broadcast on TV3 at 8. 30pm on Saturday 29 May 2010....

Summary The promo for a 60 Minutes programme was broadcast on TV One between 5. 30–6. 00pm prior to 24 October 1999 and featured the author of a book on female erotica. Referring to a passage in her book, she asked "who wants to have a silent orgasm? " Mr Petterson complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that this remark "transcends acceptable behaviour in a family home". He objected to its broadcast at an early hour when young children would be watching television and suggested that it could be embarrassing for parents if their children asked what the question meant. In its response, TVNZ emphasised that as the word "orgasm" was not in itself offensive, it did not see how it could cause harm to children....

ComplaintOne News – offensive language – horse named Bugger me – unsuitable for children FindingsStandard G2 – newsworthy – not gratuitous – no upholdStandard G12 – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary A news item broadcast on One News on TV One at 6. 00pm on 21 February 2000 described the controversy in the harness racing industry which had arisen over a horse named "Bugger Me". Paul Schwabe complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the word "bugger" was offensive and its use on television had a detrimental effect on children and society in general. TVNZ responded that in the context of a news item reporting on a controversial matter, the use of the word bugger did not breach broadcasting standards....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Close Up – item reported on water leak in West Auckland – stated that Watercare had failed to respond to complaints about water leak – interviewed representative from Watercare – showed person drinking water which had come from storm-water drain – allegedly in breach of standards relating to accuracy, fairness and children’s interests FindingsStandard 5 (accuracy) – item created impression that complaints made to Watercare and that Watercare failed to respond to complaints – Watercare and council separate organisations – item inaccurate and misleading – however, in light of factual background, broadcaster made reasonable efforts to ensure item accurate and did not mislead – not upheld Standard 6 (fairness) – Watercare invited to appear on Close Up with regard to complaint made 6 November – Watercare given sufficient opportunity to check records given nature of allegations made against it – not upheld…...

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 19893 News – reported on world’s first 3D erotic film, Sex and Zen – included clips from the movie – allegedly in breach of good taste and decency and children’s interests standards FindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – legitimate news story – contextual factors – not upheld Standard 9 (children’s interests) – film clips were effectively censored – unclassified news programme targeted at adults – broadcaster adequately considered children’s interests – not upheld This headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An item during 3 News, broadcast on TV3 at 6pm on 5 May 2011, reported on the opening of the world’s first 3D erotic film, Sex and Zen. The item was introduced as follows: Thanks to Avatar, when people think of 3D films they probably conjure up the colour blue....