An item on TV3’s Nightline reported on controversial comments made by British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson that striking workers should be shot. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that the broadcast breached standards relating to law and order, discrimination and denigration, and violence. The item was a straightforward news report about Mr Clarkson’s comments, and broadcasting the comments did not encourage viewers to break the law; nor did it encourage denigration of or discrimination against a section of the community; and the item contained no violence.
Not Upheld: Law and Order, Discrimination and Denigration, Violence
An item on One News reported on the private funeral of prominent New Zealand businessman Allan Hubbard. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that the footage filmed outside the private church ceremony, and the footage of Mrs Hubbard in particular, breached standards relating to privacy, good taste and decency, fairness, and responsible programming. While Mrs Hubbard and the other people shown were identifiable, no private facts were disclosed, they were filmed in a public place, and those shown were not particularly vulnerable. The footage formed part of an unclassified news programme, and filming was non-intrusive and respectful and would not have offended or distressed viewers.
Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Privacy, Fairness, Responsible Programming
A political discussion was broadcast during Nine to Noon on Radio New Zealand National. The complaint was that the broadcast breached standards relating to controversial issues, fairness, and discrimination and denigration; in particular, the complainant considered that one of the participants had made a personal attack on the leader of the Labour Party, Phil Goff. The Authority considered the complaint under the fairness standard (the standard most relevant to the complainant’s concerns) and declined to uphold it: the broadcast was a classic example of robust political commentary close to an election, the scrutinising of politicians and public figures is a vital component of freedom of expression, and the comments about Phil Goff were not “abusively personal”.
Not Upheld: Fairness
An episode of reality television series Date My Ex on TV3 contained brief footage of two people drinking. The complaint was that the programme made drinking alcohol look like a game and also showed people playing poker, in breach of standards relating to good taste and decency, responsible programming and liquor, as well as children’s interests. The Authority declined to uphold the complaints on the grounds that the presence of liquor in the programme was extremely brief and alcohol consumption was not glamorised; the programme was correctly rated PGR and did not contain any material which warranted a higher rating of AO; and the content would not have offended the majority of viewers.
Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Responsible Programming, Children’s Interests, Liquor
Police Ten 7: “Bad Boys”. Episode of reality TV series about work of New Zealand police looked at “bad boys’ most memorable moments” and contained coarse language and nudity, both of which were censored in the programme. Not upheld (good taste and decency, law and order, discrimination and denigration, responsible programming, children’s interests, violence).
Investigator Special: Jesus the Cold Case. Documentary maker gave his perspective on the life and death of Jesus. The programme challenged traditional Christian view as encapsulated in the gospels. Not upheld (controversial issues, accuracy, fairness, discrimination and denigration).
Promo for Nothing Trivial. Promo broadcast during news and characters used low-level offensive language. Not upheld (good taste and decency, children's interests).
One News. Item reported on Australia’s recent attempts to reduce pollution by introducing a carbon tax scheme. Not upheld (accuracy).
American Pie Presents: Beta House. Movie contained nudity and sex scenes. Declined to determine (recording of broadcast unavailable).
Promo for The Jono Project. Promo broadcast about 1.30pm during Dr Phil and contained brief silhouette image of a woman apparently having sex. Not upheld (good taste and decency, responsible programming, children’s interests).