BSA Decisions Ngā Whakatau a te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

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Summary

Six people died when shot at Raurimu on the morning of 8 February 1997. The

events, including differing views on the need for tighter gun controls, were covered in

One Network News broadcast between 6.00–6.30pm on Sunday 9 February.

Mr Dunlop complained to Television New Zealand Ltd, the broadcaster, that the

aspect which dealt with the control of guns was unbalanced as it omitted the views of

the rural population.

Explaining that the view seeking tighter controls and the view supporting the status

quo were advanced, TVNZ said that the comments from two people in the streets of

Auckland selected at random were not a scientific survey and were not advanced as

such. It did not consider the item to be partial or unfair and declined to uphold the

complaint.

Dissatisfied with TVNZ's decision, Mr Dunlop referred the complaint to the

Broadcasting Standards Authority under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989.

For the reasons below, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint.

Decision

The members of the Authority have viewed the item complained about and have read

the correspondence (summarised in the Appendix). As is its practice, the Authority

determines the complaint without a formal hearing.

As part of its coverage of the death of six people at Raurimu by shooting, an item on

One Network News dealt with the issue of the need for tighter gun controls. A

spokesperson for Gunsafe was interviewed, as was a spokesperson for the Sporting

Shooters Association, and the Minister of Police. In addition, the item included

comments from two passers-by on the streets of Auckland. These two both

supported tighter controls on guns.

Mr Dunlop complained to TVNZ that the item was unbalanced in view of the

comments in support of tighter controls from the passers-by. Their comments, he

wrote, should have been balanced with the views of the rural population – 30% of the

total population – who could well have a different view from their urban counterparts.

TVNZ assessed the complaint under standard G6 of the Television Code of

Broadcasting Practice. It requires broadcasters:

G6   To show balance, impartiality and fairness in dealing with political

matters, current affairs and all questions of a controversial nature.

Expressing the view that the item reflected widespread community discussion about

gun control, rather than agree with the implication in the complaint that the item

rekindled the gun debate, TVNZ pointed out that differing views were expressed by

the spokespersons interviewed. The item was not a detailed account of the debate

and, TVNZ continued:

There was no suggestion that the interviews with the two shoppers in Auckland

represented a scientific survey on public opinion. They were simply the

comments of two people selected at random, and acknowledged to be city folk

both in the location of the interview and by the introductory phrase "but on the

streets ..."

Mr Dunlop referred his complaint to the Authority as he was dissatisfied with

TVNZ's decision to decline to uphold his complaint.

The Authority notes that the issue of gun control is one of the matters which has

come (again) into focus following the tragedy at Raurimu. TVNZ recognised this

point by interviewing spokespersons from two of the groups with an interest in the

issue, and by including comment from the Minister of Police as to the progress of the

official inquiry under way.

The Authority considers that the comments from the two passers-by were included

for "colour". Their comments were in no way presented as being anything more than

"off-the-cuff" remarks with which viewers could agree, disagree or ignore. Their brief

observations did not raise issues of fairness, impartiality or balance in regard to the

"gun debate".

For the above reasons, the Authority declines to uphold the complaint.

Signed for and on behalf of the Authority

Judith Potter
Chairperson
15 May 1997

Appendix

Mr Dunlop's Complaint to Television New Zealand Ltd - 9 February 1997

Philip Dunlop of Pokeno complained to Television New Zealand Ltd about a news

item included on One Network News broadcast between 6.00 - 6.30pm on Sunday 9

February.

The broadcast had included coverage of the killing of six people at Raurimu which, Mr

Dunlop stated, rekindled the gun debate. Noting that he was initially impressed with

the coverage, Mr Dunlop expressed concern that the item went on to rekindle the "gun

debate" and had included comment from two people who were apparently

Aucklanders. Both supported tighter controls on guns.

However, Mr Dunlop continued, about 30% of the population in New Zealand was in

rural areas and they generally had a different view on gun control to their urban

counterparts. The omission of rural opinion, Mr Dunlop wrote, amounted to a breach

of the requirement for balance and fairness in standard G6.

TVNZ's Response to the Formal Complaint - 28 February 1997

Assessing the complaint under the nominated standard, TVNZ disagreed with the

implication in Mr Dunlop's letter that the news item rekindled the gun debate. The

item, it contended, reflected the widespread discussion on the issue following another

mass killing and was an issue dealt with by every major media.

TVNZ explained that the item restated the well known arguments about gun

ownership. Mr Alpers, it continued, put the case for tighter controls while a Mr

Howard put the arguments for the status quo. The views of two Auckland shoppers

were simply the comments of two people selected at random. They were not

advanced as a scientific sample and, TVNZ wrote:

Had this been a full documentary, or a current affairs probe into gun ownership,

a more detailed exploration of the pro and anti positions would have been

appropriate. But even in that case we have serious doubts about whether a

further split into rural and urban would be required to achieve balance.

In our view the item was carefully put together and we can find no trace of

unfairness or partiality to either side of the story. TVNZ has a strong track

record of allowing both sides in this emotional issue to express their views

within the confines of a national debate that appears to have some time yet to

run.

Mr Dunlop's Complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority - 20 March

1997

Dissatisfied with TVNZ's decision, Mr Dunlop referred the complaint to the

Broadcasting Standards Authority for review under s.8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act

1989.

TVNZ's Response to the Authority - 1 April 1997

As Mr Dunlop had not given any reasons for his dissatisfaction with the decision,

TVNZ had no further comment to offer.