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ComplaintSong "Goodnight Irene" – lyrics offensive FindingsPrinciple 1 – not offensive in context – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] The song "Goodnight Irene" was one of collection of tracks played by Manawatu Sounz AM 999 between 7. 45–8. 15am on 27 January 2002. The song was written by a black American blues singer, known as Leadbelly, early in the 20th century. [2] Mrs McIntyre complained to Manawatu Access Radio Charitable Trust, the broadcaster, that the lyrics in the third verse, in particular the phrase "I’ll take morphine and die", were offensive. [3] In response, Manawatu Access Radio explained that the lyrics were in the original song and were not an unusual example of lyrics written at that time in that they reflected the precarious existence of poor people. It declined to uphold the complaint....

Complaint under section 8(1B)(b)(i) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Close Up – item reported on, and interviewed, young Māori activist who expressed his views on the Government’s sale of state assets and mining proposals – presentation of item allegedly in breach of good taste and decency, controversial issues, and discrimination and denigration standardsFindingsStandard 7 (discrimination and denigration) – views expressed by Wikatane Popata represented one end of a political spectrum – his views were described as radical and audience would have understood that they were not representative of all Māori or young Māori – item did not encourage the denigration of, or discrimination against, any section of the community – not upheld Standard 4 (controversial issues) – interview did not discuss a controversial issue of public importance – focused on the Popata brothers and their political views – reporter took “devil’s advocate” approach and programme included viewer feedback – not upheld Standard 1…...

The Authority has not upheld a complaint about a segment of Q+A discussing the lack of diversity among the National Party’s then top-12 Members of Parliament. In the segment, panellist Laila Harre commented, ‘the whole front kind of line-up looks like they’ve had a bit of an accident with the bleach’. The complaint was that this comment was inappropriate, unprofessional and racist. The Authority found the comment did not threaten community standards of taste and decency, or encourage discrimination or denigration of any section of the community, in the context of a political discussion in the public interest. The remaining standards complained about either did not apply or were not breached. Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Discrimination and Denigration, Balance, Accuracy, Fairness...

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision. ]An episode of Friends featured Rachel discussing a dream in which she and Chandler had sex, and later telling the group she had a dream about her, Chandler and Joey. Monica was dating Ethan, who claimed to be a senior in college and revealed that he was a virgin. The couple were shown kissing on the couch and then lying in bed together, when it was revealed that Ethan was in fact a senior at high school. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that this episode breached the good taste and decency standard by containing sexual material unsuitable for children at the broadcast time of 4. 30pm. Any visual sexual content was implied and verbal references to sex amounted to innuendo which was unlikely to be understood or imitated by younger viewers....

The Authority has not upheld a complaint about multiple images of needles and vaccinations being performed shown in two Newshub Live at 6pm items reporting on COVID-19. The Authority found the images were unlikely to cause widespread undue offence. There is a high public interest and value in news reporting about the vaccination programme. In the context of a news item, the images would not adversely affect child viewers. The balance standard did not apply. Not Upheld: Good taste and decency, Children’s interests, Balance...

Complaint under section 8(1C) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Promo for The Graham Norton Show – promo for Christmas special showed a photograph of a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph holding a dog in swaddling clothes – allegedly in breach of broadcasting standardsFindingsStandard 1 (good taste and decency) – content was a light-hearted attempt at humour – would not have offended most viewers in context – innocent lampooning of religious figures comes within the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression – not upheld Standard 7 (discrimination and denigration) – content was a light-hearted attempt at humour as opposed to a criticism of Christians – content did not encourage the denigration of, or discrimination against, Christians as a section of the community – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision....

Download a PDF of Decision No. 1992-032:Clements and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 1992-032 PDF331. 3 KB...

Download a PDF of Decision No. 1992-094:Lane and Television New Zealand Ltd - 1992-094 PDF1. 36 MB...

The Authority has not upheld a complaint about a comment referring to a sex act during an episode of New Zealand Today, which the host and interviewee both laughed at. The programme was classified 16-LSC, preceded by a full-screen warning and screened at 9pm. Given audience expectations for the programme, the classification, the warning and the scheduling, the Authority found the comment would not cause widespread undue offence and audiences were able to make their own viewing choices. The remaining standards either did not apply or were not breached. Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Children’s Interests, Violence, Discrimination and Denigration...

Summary[This summary does not form part of the decision. ]The Authority has upheld one aspect of a complaint from three complainants about a segment of Punjabi talkback programme Panthic Vichar, broadcast on community radio station, Planet FM. During the programme, host Kuldip Singh made a number of allegations against the complainants, regarding use of grant money and cheating or ‘unjust’ behaviour at a kabaddi tournament. The Authority found that the host’s comments reflected negatively on the complainants and as such, they should have been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. The Authority did not uphold the remaining aspects of the complaint. The Authority acknowledged the limited resources available to the broadcaster, but reminded it of its obligations under the Broadcasting Act 1989 to receive and consider formal complaints through a proper process, including where the broadcast subject to complaint is in a language other than English....

ComplaintPromo for Pepsi Chart – man shown sitting on lavatory – behaving as if constipated – offensive behaviour FindingsStandard G2 – contextual matters – no uphold This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] A promo for Pepsi Chart showed a man sitting on a lavatory and reading a magazine. He was behaving as if he were constipated. It was broadcast on TV4 during the evening of 11 November 2001. [2] Tony Drackett-Case complained to TV4 Network Ltd, the broadcaster, that the promo was offensive. [3] In response, TV4 maintained that while it might be outside the expectations of "mainstream" audiences, it was not inappropriate on a niche channel aimed at young adults. It declined to uphold the complaint. [4] Dissatisfied with TV4’s decision Mr Drackett-Case referred his complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989....

Summary [This summary does not form part of the decision. ]The Authority declined to uphold the complaint that an episode of Jeremy Kyle, a talk show dealing with relationship breakdowns between guests, breached broadcasting standards. The complainant’s objections related to the nature of the series in general, rather than specific content in this episode. While elements could have caused discomfort or distress for viewers, the episode was consistent with audience expectations of the talk show genre, was rated PGR and was broadcast at a time when AO programmes are permitted, during the school term, so children were unlikely to be watching....

A segment on The Project reported on the discovery of the Smeagol slug in South Westland. The hosts took the opportunity to tease their co-host, Kanoa Lloyd, during the segment as they knew she had a phobia of slugs. The complainant stated the segment breached the good taste and decency standard as it normalised bullying behaviour and harassing someone due to their phobias. The Authority did not uphold the complaint, finding the segment amounted to friendly banter without any offensive intent. Accordingly, it did not reach the threshold for regulatory intervention. Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency...

ComplaintThe Happy Hooker Goes to Hollywood – film screened on MGM Channel at 7. 30pm on TelstraClear – nudity and sexual content – inappropriate timing – TelstraClear upheld complaint as breach of good taste and decency – apologised – future screening rescheduled to 4. 25am – dissatisfied with action taken FindingsScreenings of films in future by TelstraClear will comply with Standard Subscription Code rather than Advanced Code – action taken sufficient This headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary [1] The film The Happy Hooker Goes to Hollywood was screened on the MGM Channel at 7. 30pm on 28 March 2002. The MGM Channel is available to subscribers of both Sky and TelstraClear....

Complaint under section 8(1C) of the Broadcasting Act 1989Kalgoorlie Cops – included footage of barmaids wearing lingerie and skimpy outfits as well as a topless barmaid using her bare breasts to entertain patrons – allegedly in breach of standards relating to good taste and decencyFindingsStandard P2 (good taste and decency) – content intended to be light-hearted and humorous – channel and programme targeted at adults – episode classified “M” and preceded by a clear warning for nudity and mature themes – filtering technology available on SKY – contextual factors – not upheldThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast[1] An episode of the reality TV series Kalgoorlie Cops was broadcast on the Crime and Investigation Channel at 2pm on Monday 20 June 2011. The narrator introduced the programme as follows: This is Kalgoorlie, sitting on the edge of Australia’s biggest gold mine....

BEFORE THE BROADCASTING STANDARDS AUTHORITY Decision No: 62/94 Dated the 15th day of August 1994 IN THE MATTER of the Broadcasting Act 1989 AND IN THE MATTER of a complaint by PHILLIP SMITS of Auckland Broadcaster SKY NETWORK TELEVISION SERVICES LIMITED I. W. Gallaway Chairperson J. R. Morris R. A. Barraclough L. M. Dawson...

Complaint under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989The 5th Wheel – overt sexual content – allegedly bad taste and inappropriate for childrenFindings Standard S2 (good taste and decency) – context – upheld Standard S20 (children) – unacceptable for broadcast during children’s normally accepted viewing times – upheldOrder Section 16(4) – $1,500 costs to the CrownThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Broadcast [1] An episode of The 5th Wheel, an American dating show which featured overt sexual content, was broadcast on Sky1 at 6. 30pm on 5 February 2004. In the episode, two men and two women went on a date horse riding, and then to dinner. At dinner, a third woman (a Las Vegas showgirl) joined the date and the contestants then chose who they preferred to date again....

ComplaintThe Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human – film – unsuitable for children – 7. 00pmFindingsStandard S2 – context – similar to Shortland Street broadcast at same time – no upholdStandards S20 and S23 – film unlikely to attract young children – not normal viewing time for young children alone – no upholdThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary[1] The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human was screened on the Sky Movie Channel at 7. 00pm on 14 January 2002. The film dealt with human sexuality from the perspective of an alien and the mating habits are narrated in the style of a wildlife documentary. [2] J F Stevenson complained to Sky Network Television Ltd, the broadcaster, that given the contents of the film, it was screened at an inappropriate time....

ComplaintBulworth – film – two screenings – obscene language – fuck – cock sucker FindingsStandard S2 – context – no upholdThis headnote does not form part of the decision. Summary[1] The film Bulworth, a political satire, was broadcast on Sky Movie Max at 6. 10pm on 13 June 2001 and at 4. 40pm on 18 June 2001. It contained a scene during which a young boy swore at a police officer and called him a "fucking pig cock sucker". [2] Phillip Smits complained to Sky Network Television Limited, the broadcaster, that the language was "obscene". [3] Sky did not uphold the complaints. It considered that the language used, when considered in context, did not breach currently accepted norms of decency and taste in language. [4] Dissatisfied with Sky’s response, Mr Smits referred the complaints to the Broadcasting Standards Authority under s. 8(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 1989....