An episode of the children’s cartoon Paddle Pop Begins, broadcast on TV3, contained a main character whose name was the same as a brand of iceblock. A complaint was made that this breached the responsible programming and children’s interests standards, because the programme amounted to advertising targeted at children, for a product high in sugar and fat. The Authority declined to uphold the complaint. It accepted that the ‘Streets’ logo and the name of the character amounted to branding or marketing – however, the programme was clearly a children’s cartoon rather than an “advertisement” for the purposes of guideline 8d.
Not Upheld: Responsible Programming, Children’s Interests
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).
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).
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).
One News. Item used the word “gay” in the context of reporting on influx of homosexual couples from Australia getting married in New Zealand. Declined to determine (complaint frivolous and trivial).
3 News: Firstline. Item reported what protestor shouted at St Peter’s Square, “Pope, where is Christ?”; newsreader then made comment about Richie McCaw. Not upheld (discrimination and denigration).
3 News. Item reported on disagreement between two individuals about their input into a Rugby World Cup statue. Not upheld (good taste and decency, law and order, controversial issues, accuracy, fairness, discrimination and denigration, responsible programming).
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).