G & T Show. Allegation by interviewee that someone from the Christian Coalition had said to him: "... that hanging is too good for gays." Declined to determine (accuracy, fairness): the Authority unable to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the statement.
3 National News. Item covered a media conference at which former soccer star commented about 'smacking' his wife. Complaint that the comment endorsed wife beating. Not upheld (good taste and decency, law and order, balance, discrimination and denigration).
Holmes. Auckland Trotting Club was mentioned in items broadcast at 6.30pm on 11 and 19 June 1990. The first item was introduced with references to drug abuse, race horses and people in high places, and focused primarily on the then President of the Auckland Trotting Club. The second item included interviews with some dissatisfied members of the Auckland Trotting Club who alleged a number of wrongdoings in the Club's administration. Upheld: second item, 19 June (balance). Subsumed (fairness). Declined to determine (accuracy). Not upheld (responsible programming). No order.
Aotearoa National Maori Radio. Broadcast of angry and obscene talkback interchange was relayed to a number of iwi radio stations, including Te Upoko o Te Ika (Wellington), which complained that the exchange breached broadcasting standards. Upheld (good taste and decency): action taken insufficient. Orders ($5,000 costs to Crown, broadcast of apology and summary of decision).
Assignment. Programme examined the background to a brutal murder in West Auckland and used it as the basis of a documentary about that region. The programme asked whether the area's "Wild West" image reflected deep social problems. Former mayor of Waitemata City, Tim Shadbolt, complained that the programme suggested that West Auckland had developed a reputation for "larrikin behaviour" during his mayoralty. Not upheld (fairness, balance).
95bFM: In the Pink interview. Studio guest from the Pride Centre used an allegedly derogatory word in criticising the Mayor and Councillors of Auckland. Upheld (good taste and decency). Not upheld (denigration and discrimination). Order ($250 costs to Crown).
One Network News. News item referred to an incident which had occurred in Israel. Complaint that the reference was incorrect because it referred to an event which occurred in the Occupied Territories and not in Israel. The broadcaster upheld the complaint, re-emphasising to staff the importance of accuracy when discussing events in the Middle East. Not upheld (accuracy): action taken sufficient.
TV One's Midday. Details of a murder were included in a news item which reported the sentencing of the murderer. Complaint that the tragedy was reported in a sensational manner. Not upheld (good taste and decency, balance).
Advertisements for liquor products were broadcast consecutively during a commercial break in the Waikato region. Uphed (liquor): action taken insufficient. Order ($500 costs to Crown).
Weddings. Programme included a verbal and visual reference to a stag party where men had paid to drink and eat as much as they liked. Not upheld (liquor): action taken sufficient.