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).
3 News. Item concerned the arrest of members of the Headhunter gang. Complaint that footage showed gang members giving the camera, and, he believed, the viewers, "the fingers". Not upheld (good taste and decency).
20/20: "Sex, Lies and Videotape" and 3 News. Interim Decision. TV3 sought an assurance from the Authority that it would cease taking any further action on the complaints until either the complainants had advised that they did not intend to pursue remedies in defamation, or a decision had been made by the High Court. The Authority raised the matter with the four complainants and the Diocese, and was advised that none had commenced proceedings at that stage. They reserved their rights concerning any defamation proceedings. The Authority therefore intended to proceed with determining the complaints as planned, as it was not satisfied there was any reason to postpone the process. –
Newstalk ZB breakfast programme: "World City". Host read a dramatised story which purported to tell of the relationship between two lovers. Script contained a number of implied sexual references. Not upheld (good taste and decency, children's interests, violence).
Nine to Noon. Author was interviewed and discussed "her fast fire novels about sex and love and cellulite." Not upheld (good taste and decency).
Breakfast. The word "Poms" was used in reference to the English cricket team which was touring Australia. Not upheld (discrimination and denigration).