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In context, the item was unlikely to cause widespread offence or undermine community standards.Not Upheld: Children’s InterestsThe broadcast[1] On 18 October 2021, Newshub Live at 6pm reported, ‘Brands and talent agencies have been distancing themselves from COVID rule breakers, who attended a party in Auckland this weekend.’

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint about an item on Newshub Live at 6pm, in which Prince Charles’ Duchy of Cornwall fund was described as ‘essentially his private slush fund’. The complaint was that this description was inaccurate and suggested illegal practices.

Coverage of political issues close to Election Day is not in itself a breach of broadcasting standards.Not Upheld: Balance, FairnessThe broadcast[1] An item on Newshub Live at 6pm broadcast on 14 October 2020, three days before Election Day, reported the Rt Hon Winston Peters’ staff were ‘predicting his political demise on Saturday [Election Day]’:It is over. The writing is on the wall.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that the use of the term ‘disputed’ in a Newshub item, to describe the land the United States (US) Embassy sits on in East Jerusalem, breached the accuracy standard. The broadcast covered a recent protest in Gaza over the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem and the US calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority did not uphold a complaint about a Newshub item interviewing two ‘dare-devils’ who engage in ‘roof-topping’, an activity which the New Zealand Police issued a ‘stern’ warning about. The Authority found the item did not actively promote or glamorise illegal behaviour as it was made clear the activity was illegal and ill-advised.

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 has not upheld a complaint that a Newshub Live broadcast reporting on the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s treatment for COVID-19 was inaccurate when it referred to President Donald Trump as ‘the world’s leading expert on fake news’.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority did not uphold a complaint about a reference to ‘the heebies’ in a Newshub item canvassing reactions to Judith Collins’ appointment as leader of the National Party. The reporter asked then National MP Paula Bennett on camera, ‘Will this give Jacinda Ardern the heebies, do you reckon?’ The complainant argued the term could be interpreted as offensive slang for Jew.

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.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint that an item summarising latest election poll results on Newshub breached the accuracy standard. The standard applies only to statements of fact, and the statements in question were clearly distinguishable as news analysis.Not Upheld: AccuracyThe broadcast[1] On 16 October 2020, Newshub Live at 6pm reported on the results of the latest Newshub-Reid research poll.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]An item on Newshub reported on renewed efforts by the New Zealand Government to secure a free trade deal with Russia, after negotiations were ‘put on hold when Vladimir Putin invaded Crimea two years ago’. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that the use of the term ‘invaded’ was inaccurate as no invasion had in fact occurred.

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

Not Upheld: Balance, Fairness The broadcast [1] During a segment on Newshub Live at 6pm on 11 October 2023, Political Editor Jenna Lynch discussed the results and implications of a Newshub-Reid Research political poll.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority did not uphold a complaint that two items on Newshub Live at 6pm breached the offensive and disturbing content, and children’s interests standards. The programme included interviewees using the terms ‘shit’ and ‘holy shit’.

Not Upheld: Accuracy The broadcast [1] In a segment on Newshub Live at 6pm broadcast on 7 February 2024, Political Editor Jenna Lynch reported on the Prime Minister’s recent comments at Waitangi and on the proposed Treaty Principles Bill.

NZ Herald (online ed, 10 February 2023)4 Kieran McAnulty “Government urges people to prepare for Cyclone Gabrielle” (10 February 2023) Beehive <Beehive.govt.nz>5 See RNZ “NZ weather: What you need to know as Cyclone Gabrielle lashes New Zealand” Newshub (online ed, 13 February 2023); and Ryan Anderson “Here's what we know about Cyclone Gabrielle's expected landfall” Stuff (11 February 2023).

‘Similarly, in her role as a Safety Specialist for Auckland Transport, … Newshub was entitled to reply on Ms Ping's commentary and analysis.’ ‘The graphic of 'Auckland Road Deaths' keyed the source of the statistics as Auckland Transport, and again, [Newshub] maintains they are a reputable source which Newshub is entitled to rely upon.’ ‘Stopping blanket speed limit reductions would effectively lead to increases in speed in some areas.

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint about an item on Newshub Live at 6pm, covering the reactions of world leaders to the Capitol Hill riots in Washington DC, that referred to Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani as ‘Iran’s dictator’.

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision.]The Authority has not upheld a complaint about an item on Newshub Live at 6pm reporting on the results of the Transport and Accident Investigation Commission’s investigation into a fatal mid-air collision at an unattended aerodrome.