News items broadcast simultaneously on The Breeze and Coromandel Gold FM two days running made allegations against a mayoral candidate for the Thames-Coromandel District Council over an email he had circulated; they used the terms “doctored”, “doctoring” and “falsify”. The candidate made a complaint under the accuracy and fairness standards. The Authority declined to uphold either complaint: the terms used were distinguishable as the opinion of his political rivals and were exempt from accuracy under guideline 5a; and the candidate had been given an adequate opportunity to respond, so had been treated fairly.
Not Upheld: Accuracy, Fairness
Campbell Live. Items asked “Where has all the aid money gone?” that was received following Samoa’s tsunami in September 2009. Not upheld (accuracy and fairness).
Noise Control. Complainant shown arguing with noise control officer. Upheld (fairness). Order ($7,000 costs to complainant).
Newstalk ZB. Host said, “have they got their heads so far up their backsides they don’t take any notice of anyone else?” Not upheld (good taste and decency).
Fletch and Vaughan Show. Winner of competition stated he had drawn a “nice little penis just going into the mouth” on the face of his opponent. Not upheld (good taste and decency).
3 News. Reporter said “Jesus” when interviewing Cyclone Yasi survivor. Not upheld (good taste and decency).
Sons of Anarchy. Fictional drama about outlaw motorcycle gang. Not upheld (good taste and decency, law and order).
3 News. Item stated that “protesters marched through the streets of Auckland calling for illegal whaling to be stopped”. Not upheld (accuracy).
Campbell Live. Item claimed that modelling agency was refusing to put forward a model work because of her hip measurements. Upheld (accuracy, fairness). Not upheld (controversial issues). No order.
Campbell Live. Included shot of topless woman. Not upheld (good taste and decency, and children’s interests).