Holmes and Tonight. The result of a Holmes viewer poll was reported on Tonight. Complainant said that the extensive coverage of the poll results on both Holmes and Tonight contrasted with the very brief report of the results of another poll two weeks previously. He noted that the earlier poll had only been reported on Holmes and not on Tonight, and argued this demonstrated that the broadcaster was not impartial. Not upheld (balance).
The New Zealand Wars. Complaint that the series presented "beliefs" as fact, and that it was biased and racist in suggesting that the "innocent" Maori was butchered by "an evil white man". Not upheld (accuracy, balance, fairness).
One Network News and Tonight. Item showed amateur video footage of four fishermen in rough seas in New South Wales after their boat had capsized; two of the men drowned in the incident. Complaint that the loss of the two men would not have been newsworthy had their deaths not been captured on "amcam", and the broadcast capitalised on the horror of the drowning and that was callous and unwarranted. Not upheld (violence). The Authority noted that the newsworthiness of the footage (which wsa the essence of the complaint) was an editoral decision and so outside the Authority's jurisdiction.
Under Investigation: Ladies Night. BBC documentary screened during Under Investigation on TV2 at 8.30pm. Complaint that the documentary breached standards of good taste, and was entirely unsuitable for children and teenagers. Not upheld (good taste and decency, programme classification, children's interests). Not relevant (law and order).
Morning Report. Presenter suggested to an investment advisor that potential buyers of Wellington Airport would "have to be blind" to think the sale was not a political minefield. Complainant said he, as a blind person, found the comment highly offensive, as it equated blindness with stupidity. Not upheld (good taste and decency, denigration and discrimination).
Hot 93FM. Caller twice referred disparagingly to the winner of an on-air competition who was named. Station staff then made two hoax calls in a similar vein. Upheld (good taste and decency). Not upheld (privacy). Order (formal letter of apology).
Lion Red: The Game. More than 20 promotions for Lion Red beer were screened during the game. Not upheld: action taken sufficient (liquor promotion).
Nightline. All Black coach announced some team selections in front of large promotion for Steinlager Beer. Upheld (liquor, one aspect). No order.
Solid Gold FM. In a prank telephone call a woman was called by a man claiming to be her fiance’s boss and was told he was going to be fired because he was sleeping with the boss’s secretary. The woman was distressed but admitted she was having an affair with her fiance’s brother. Complaint that the call was malicious and listeners were not informed at the conclusion that it was a prank. Not upheld (good taste and decency, fairness: the Authority was assured the call was a total fabrication, both parties to the call were in on the "joke", no individual was identified, so no one was hurt by the call).
One Network News. Item discussed new dietary supplement, aimed at men with prostate problems. Complainant argued that the promotion of the product amounted to an advertorial and was irresponsible as it did not alert viewers to its known toxic effects. Furthermore, he questioned the qualifications of the product’s promoter to make medicinal recommendations on a prime time news programme. Not upheld (accuracy).