Radio Pacific talkback. Host abruptly cut off a caller, saying that he had used a four letter word. A few minutes earlier, he had referred to a woman caller as a person who lived her life in abject misery. The caller who had been cut off complained that it was an absolute lie to state that he had used a four letter word as could be verified by a copy of the tape, and in both incidents the host’s manner was appalling. Not upheld: action taken sufficient (fairness).
Newsflash. Episode contained, among other things, skits with a religious theme. Not upheld (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration, children's interests).
Nine to Noon. During an interview an obscenity was used on several occasions by both the host and the interviewee when they quoted a poem which had been translated and backtranslated into both French and German. Not upheld (good taste and decency).
The Human Body promo. Promo showed a naked pregnant woman. Not upheld (good taste and decency, denigration and discrimination, violence).
3 National News. A prison officer who was accused of impregnating a prison inmate was the subject of a news item. Complainant's family's privacy breached, as footage of their family home was included in the item. Upheld (privacy). Order ($500 compensation to complainant, $500 costs to Crown).
One Network News. Item reported on increased cannabis use among young people in Northland and referred to the suspension of students from several schools. It included an interview with a student from Kaitaia College who, when asked how long it would take to get drugs, replied "about half an hour". Complaint by the principal that the interviewer had broken their promise that the item would not reflect badly on the college. Not upheld (accuracy, fairness).
One Network News commencing at 6pm broadcast a lengthy item on the findings of the Starr Report and the possible impeachment proceedings against President Clinton of the United States. Complaint that it was highly offensive for explicit sexual material to be discussed during children’s normal viewing time. Not upheld (good taste and decency, programme classifications, children's interests).
The Edge's breakfast show. Complaint that host's reply to a caller who advocated slapping a woman around was so casual as to be offensive. No tape but broadcaster did not dispute that the exchange had taken place. Upheld: majority (good taste and decency). Subsumed (equity in relation to women). No order.
3 National News. Item investigated customer complaints that Telecom had "hijacked" users of other telephone companies. Complaint that item was unbalanced, inaccurate and unfair. Upheld (accuracy). No order.
Radio Pacific. Breakfast host's error in reporting amount new Maori television station would cost to set up: he repeated $90 million even when told it was $19 million. Complaint that comment unbalance, inaccurate and unfair. Upheld (accuracy). No order (action taken by broadcaster sufficient).