Holmes. Debate on the introduction of the Employment Relations Bill which involved the Minister of Labour, a trade union representative, an employer representative and the Opposition spokesperson. Complaint that the discussion simplified the highly complex legislation so much that many important concepts, such as collective bargaining, had not been explained, and that the participants had not received equal time. Declined to determine (balance: no standards issues raised, vexatious)
Holmes. Interview with actor from the film "Austin Powers – The Spy who Shagged me" included audio and video clips from the film, and the word "shagged" appeared in a graphic containing the film’s title. Allegedly offensive language. Declined to determine (good taste and decency: complaint vexatious).
Radio Pacific. Talkback host's references to the contribution by Maori to the millennium celebrations in New Zealand. Allegedly offensive and anti-Maori and inciting racial disharmony. Declined to determine: no tape (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration). Upheld (broadcaster's failure to retain tape). Order ($250 costs to complainant).
Radio Pacific talkback. Host critical of Italian team at America’s Cup, referring to them among other things as "greasy Italians". Complaint that remarks racially discriminatory. Upheld (good taste and decency). Not upheld (discrimination and denigration). Order ($1,000 costs to Crown).
Foveaux Radio. Omission to broadcast news about an Invercargill businessman who had been charged with fraud. Declined to determine (balance, responsible programming: editorial judgement).
One News. Item on Select Committee deliberation on changes to ACC. In the opinion of the New Zealand Trade Union Federation, the item sought to create the impression that proposed changes were "purely irrational" and unsupported by evidence. Not upheld (accuracy).
News bulletins on Newstalk ZB and Classic Hits Invercargill. Omission of broadcasting news about an Invercargill businessman who had been charged with fraud. Declined to determine (balance, responsible programming: editorial judgement).
Our People Our Century: "In the Family Way". First episode of documentary series looked at family life in New Zealand through the experiences of three different families. Complaint that the programme made a number of inaccurate sexist statements in relation to men, and unfairly and inaccurately portrayed women as victims and men as violent abusers. Not upheld (balance, accuracy, fairness, discrimination and denigration).
60 Minutes. Interview with swimmer who had tested positive to a performance-enhancing drug; in an emotional sequence, he denied the allegation. Complaint that that the interviewer’s style had been insensitive and in extremely bad taste, reducing the swimmer to tears. Not upheld (fairness). Subsumed (good taste and decency).
One News. Item described controversy in the harness racing industry that had arisen over a horse named "Bugger Me". Not upheld: majority (good taste and decency). Not upheld (children's interests).