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
All Decisions
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
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).
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).
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).
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).
American Pie Presents: Beta House. Movie contained nudity and sex scenes. Declined to determine (recording of broadcast unavailable).