Classic Hits ZHFM. Announcer rang several motels in Gisborne to investigate vacancies and room rates for the millennium celebrations. The daughter of a motel owner/manager who answered one of these calls mentioned some tariffs; the call was broadcast as a live interview. Not upheld (privacy).
60 Minutes promo. Promo referred to a story about short people and raised an issue about their decision to "breed". Not upheld: majority (good taste and decency). Not upheld (discrimination and denigration).
Issue of costs in relation to the withdrawal of a complaint.
60 Minutes. Decision 1999-053 related to a broadcast which focused on advances in the care of seriously ill premature babies. The mother of one of the babies shown made a complaint but then wished to withdraw the complaint after reaching 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, which were determined as $5,000 costs to the Crown from TVNZ. The Authority was then asked to have the above decision recalled on the grounds that TVNZ was not "a party in default". The Authority declined to recall its decision and not to issue that decision for publication.
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).