Reel Life: Thalidomide – A Necessary Evil. Documentary claimed there was no evidence that any chemical which causes a birth defect in one generation can also cause defects in subsequent generations. Not upheld (accuracy).
All Decisions
Radio Pacific talkback session. Question posed by talkback host offensive. Upheld: action taken insufficient (good taste and decency). Order (letter of apology to be sent to complainant).
Fair Go. Person claimed poor workmanship and incomplete work by building contractor. Upheld (fairness). Not upheld (privacy). Declined to determine (accuracy on points of fact). Subsumed (individual's right to express opinion, deceptive programme practice, balance, causing alarm, effect on children). Order (broadcast of statement).
3 News. Footage of Fijian men firing automatic rifles inside an Indian school complex referred to as "the latest incident" in a terror campaign against Indian villagers. Upheld (accuracy: description of event as "latest incident"). Not upheld (balance, alarm, misleading). No order.
Paul Holmes’ Breakfast Show. Commentary on Ariel Sharon’s visit to Temple Mount and on Middle East situation. Not upheld (balance, accuracy, discrimination and denigration).
20/20: "Trial and Error". Programme based on Milton Weir's defamation action against Joe Karam for implication in Karam's book on the David Bain murder trial that Mr Weir might have intentionally misled jury. Upheld (balance, fairness: interview with Assistant Commissioner of Police and reference to Police Complaints Authority’s report inadequate to provide balance/undo suggestion that mistake might have been intentional). Not upheld (standard concerned with the general viewing public; allocation of time to interested parties). Declined to determine (aspects of complaint regarding evidential significance of mistake). Orders (broadcast of statement, $1,500 costs to complainant).
One News. Comment from observer describing Hector dolphins on Avon river. Not upheld (good taste and decency).
3 News. Map used as backdrop factually inaccurate. Not upheld (accuracy).
TV4. HLAH music video "Good Advice" from the album "Blood on The Honky Tonk Floor" belonged to zombie genre and displayed graphic violence. Not upheld (good taste and decency, violence).
The $20 Challenge. Allegedly offensive language. Not upheld (good taste and decency).