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.
One Network News. Comment about the next millennium starting on January 1st 2000. Complaint that this was inaccurate. Not upheld (accuracy).
The Ricki Lake Show: "Hottest Hunk Calendar Search". Not upheld (good taste and decency, discrimination and denigration).
Holmes. Item dealt with students' occupation of the Auckland University Registry, as part of their protest against fee increases. Complaint that item ridiculed the students while accepting the University's position. Not upheld (balance).
Midday. Firearms control was discussed during an interview with the wife of one of the Port Arthur victims. Not upheld (balance).
The Bill: "Lockdown". Episode investigated a killing in a prison which included a graphic scene of blood-letting. Not upheld (children's interests, violence).
One Network News. Item covered a news conference for visiting former soccer star. Complaint about the prominent signage for Guinness stout behind him. Upheld (liquor): action taken insufficient. Order ($500 costs to Crown).
Holmes Special – Leaders' Debate. The performances of the four leaders ranked at the conclusion of the programme using the answers given by the invited audience of uncommitted voters. The leaders were given an order of first through to fourth. Complaint about the way TVNZ used and interpreted the data from the audience's response to one question. Upheld: one aspect re the 'worm' (fairness: care taken in editing programme to ensure a 'true reflection'). All other standards subsumed under that one. No order.
Tonight Special News Report. Programme discussed the release or not of the rabbit calicivirus in New Zealand and contained footage of rabbits dead or dying from myxomatosis. Not upheld (accuracy): action taken sufficient. Not upheld (good taste and decency).