3 News. Item referred to a contest to conceive the first child of the new millennium; in describing the contest, among other matters, the presenter referred to "the first of January 2000". Not upheld (accuracy): action taken sufficient.
5.30 with Jude. Item featured a representative from a health products company discussing soy products, phytoestrogens, and commercial products containing them. Complaint that statements made in the item were unbalanced, and did not mention the risks of soy or phytoestrogen ingestion. (At an earlier meeting the Authority had considered the broadcast to be an "advertising programme" and had referred it to the Advertising Standards Complaints Board, which had declined to uphold the complaint.) Declined to determine (balance).
5.30 with Jude. Item featured a representative from a health products company discussing women’s health and, in particular, soy products, phytoestrogens, and commercial products containing them that were said to provide relief to women with menopausal symptoms. (At an earlier meeting the Authority had considered the broadcast to be an "advertising programme" and had referred it to the Advertising Standards Complaints Board, which had declined to uphold the complaint.) Declined to determine (accuracy).
91.9FM Napier. Highlights from mid-week programme were replayed on a Sunday afternoon on Solid Gold FM and contained offensive language. Upheld (good taste and decency). Order ($250 costs to Crown).
Morning Report. Discussion of a report on Maori Housing, which included a range of differing views. Complaint that comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister on the accommodation supplement lacked accuracy. Declined to determine (accuracy: no reference to a specific broadcast complained about).
60 Minutes. Broadcast focused on technological and medical advances in the care of seriously ill premature babies. The mother of one of the babies shown complained that this breached her privacy and several other standards. However, the mother wished to withdraw the complaint after she reached an agreement with TVNZ. The Authority was asked if this course of action was open to both parties and the Chair ruled that it was but subject to costs. Order (TVNZ to pay costs to the Crown of $5,000).
91ZM promotion. A Millennium Baby Competition focused on the first child to be born on 1 January 2000. Not upheld (accuracy, responsible programming: not Authority's task to decide on the issue whether it is factually accurate to imply that the new Millennium begins on 1 January 2000).
3 News and Nightline. When interviewed by TV3 news, Christchurch gunman's flatmate alleged he had been paid to talk exclusively to another news organisation; this was followed by shot of a vehicle marked "One Network News". TV3 news was advised by 9.15pm that the flatmate had not been paid but the item on Nightline at 10.30pm repeated the allegation. Upheld (accuracy, fairness). Order (broadcast of statement).
One Network News. Item referred to the millennium celebrations being organised for the City of Gisborne, and stated they were to take place on 1 January 2000. At the conclusion of the 6.00pm news programme, TV One displayed a digital clock counting down the time to the start of the year 2000. Not upheld (accuracy standard not not relevant: not the Authority's task to decide the issue of factual accuracy in relation to the issue).
Holmes. Item referred to a contest "to conceive the first child of the new millennium"; in describing the contest, the presenter talked of "this first child of 2000". Not upheld (accuracy: not the Authority's task to decide on the issue of whether it is factually accurate to imply that the new millennium begins on 1 January 2000).