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The Authority therefore declined to determine the complaint under section 11(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989, on the grounds that it was trivial and vexatious.Declined to Determine: AccuracyThe broadcast[1] A Newshub broadcast on The Breeze referred to Prince Charles as the ‘future King of England’.[2] This episode was broadcast on The Breeze on 17 November 2019.[3] In considering this complaint, we have listened to a recording of the broadcast complained about and have read the correspondence

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that a Newshub item reporting on changes to Reserve Bank rules requiring commercial banks to hold more capital in reserve was unbalanced. The item focussed on the potential effects of new capital requirements on the public, particularly borrowers.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority did not uphold a complaint that a Newshub report regarding government employees accessing pornographic sites while at work breached the good taste and decency and children’s interests standards. The Newshub report included images of web addresses for the sites accessed.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority did not uphold a complaint that a Newshub segment that discussed the potential rise of far-right ideology in New Zealand breached the balance and accuracy standards. The Authority found that the segment was balanced as it contained multiple points of view.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that a segment on Newshub regarding the Invercargill Licensing Trust Group (ILT) was inaccurate. The item reported on the ILT’s history, purpose and its funding of community projects and ventures. The Authority found that the segment was unlikely to significantly misinform or mislead viewers regarding the ILT.

In considering Mr Malone’s complaint about the Newshub item, we determined that:4The use of this phrase (synthetic cannabis) and similar phrases used in the broadcast to describe the products was not inaccurate or misleading.

Decline to determine: Good Taste and Decency, Children’s Interests, Violence, Alcohol, AccuracyThe broadcast[1] The broadcast in question was an item on Newshub live at 6pm which was broadcast on 17 August 2019 at 6:33pm on Three.[2] The item featured Richie McCaw and the eleven year old boy who won a trip to Japan to watch the Rugby World Cup with him.The complaint[3] Don McDonald complained that the broadcast breached the following standards of the Free-To-Air Television Code of Broadcasting

Therefore, the Authority did not consider it likely viewers would be significantly misinformed by their use in this broadcast.Not Upheld: AccuracyThe broadcast[1] A segment on Newshub reported on synthetic cannabis products.

The Authority did not uphold a complaint that a comment made by Patrick Gower during a Newshub segment about the presence of the far right in New Zealand breached the accuracy standard. The Authority found that Mr Gower’s comment that ‘the global far-right is here in New Zealand, influencing us and our politicians whether we realise it or not’ was not a statement of fact to which the accuracy standard applies.

Mr McCaughan’s concerns were also communicated to Newshub’s Director of Daily News.The standard[6] The discrimination and denigration standard (Standard 6) protects against broadcasts that encourage discrimination against, or denigration of any section of the community on account of sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, occupational status or as a consequence of legitimate expression of religion, culture or political belief.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that an item on Newshub Live at 6pm concerning US immigration breached the good taste and decency and balance standards.

The Authority found that, taking into account relevant contextual factors, including the nature of the programme, audience expectations of Newshub and the fact that the offensive word implied was not explicitly stated in the broadcast, the use of ‘SNAFU’ did not threaten community norms of good taste and decency, or justify restricting the right to freedom of expression.Not Upheld: Good Taste and DecencyThe broadcast[1] During an episode of Newshub, political editor Tova O’Brien used the term ‘SNAFU

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that a promo for The Titan Games, broadcast during Newshub Live at 6pm and containing the phrase ‘holy crap’ breached the good taste and decency standard.

This episode aired at 4.30pm after Newshub Live and before Newshub Live at 6pm, both of which have an adult target audience. Audience expectationsThe nature of the programme and that it would usually be broadcast at 5pm was well-publicised before the first episode was shown on 5 June 2019.20 This is the fifth series of Love Island UK and its format and premise were established in previous seasons.

Newshub’s Head of News stated amongst other things that the ‘naming of accused and convicted criminals is a cornerstone of open justice and open justice is a cornerstone of our free society.’ [6] With respect to the violence standard, TVNZ submitted the following:The following contextual factors are relevant: 1 News is aimed at an adult audience.

Not Upheld: Privacy The broadcasts and background [1] On 11 and 12 April 2019, Newshub and The AM Show reported on a Police raid of a gang house.

In any event, the complainant’s concerns were communicated to Newshub’s Head of Television News. It was relevant to note that the identity of the child featured in the report was comprehensively masked, and the individual who shouted ‘How’s your holiday?’ was a member of the public, and not a reporter.

‘[It] could be seen as emotionally manipulative’. [3] The item was broadcast on Newshub Live at 6pm on 16 October 2018.

Fiona Evans’ formal complaint – 21 September 2018 2 MediaWorks’ response to the complaint – 19 October 2018 3 Ms Evans’ referral to the Authority – 27 October 2018 4 MediaWorks’ further comments – 12 November 2018 5 Ms Evans’ confirmation of no further comment – 12 December 2018 6 MediaWorks’ submissions on orders – 7 March 2019 7 Ms Evans’ submissions on orders – 13 March 2019 1Definitions, Broadcasting Standards in New Zealand Codebook, page 92Celebrity Name Game and Newshub