BSA releases eight decisions today
Today we released decisions on eight complaints, one of which was upheld by the Authority.
One of the complaints, which was not upheld, related to items featured on The Nation and Newshub, which were inspired by the ‘Rhodes Must Fall’ protest movement. The items discussed whether various colonial figures in New Zealand were still worthy of commemoration by statue or memorial, particularly when their actions were re-evaluated against 21st century values. The items featured excerpts from a historian, who provided comments on a South Auckland memorial to Colonel Marmaduke Nixon, saying that his involvement in events at Rangiaowhia in 1864 amounted to ‘an appalling act of genocide’ and ‘a terrible atrocity’. The Authority did not uphold the complaint that the items were inaccurate and lacked balance. It found that the historian’s comments amounted to his opinion, based on his interpretation of a historical event, and the programme carried high public interest by raising legitimate questions about the way we view New Zealand’s past.
The upheld complaint related to a radio privacy breach that was the result of a radio caller's details being inadvertently broadcast. The complaint was upheld but no order was made in light of the broadcaster's immediate acceptance of the breach, which resulted from a technical error, and the immediate actions taken by the broadcaster to respond to the incident.
You can read our media release on The Nation and Newshub decision here or by clicking on the Media Releases button below.
You can read more about these decisions by clicking on the link below.