BSA Pānui - April 2019

Bulletin Number 91

Message from the Chief Executive

Tēnā koutou

In this month's Pānui we have highlighted two significant recent decisions by the Authority which focus on harm to the community. These include the Authority's decision on Heather du Plessis-Allan's use of the term 'leeches' to describe the Pacific Islands, and a decision on an episode of The DailyMail TV, which the Authority found should have been classified Adults Only and carried a warning for disturbing content. In both decisions, the Authority focused on the significant harm that could be caused to audiences, whether through the use of offensive and discriminatory language, or through a lack of information provided to audiences to ensure they could make an informed viewing choice. 

We also have some important reminders and useful information for readers in our 'Over the Last Month' section below. This includes a reminder for broadcasters to complete the Broadcaster Satisfaction Survey and to review and respond to DIA's consultation on classification of CVoD content. We also include details about a research report we have prepared to assist broadcasters in their reporting of the 15 March attack. 

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Pānui and we welcome any feedback you may have. 

Ngā mihi
Belinda

Over the Last Month
Over the last month: 

Latest Decisions
The six decisions issued this month are available on our website, and include:
Complaints about Radio Broadcasts
Day & Moss and NZME Radio Ltdopen_in_new - 2018-090 

Two complaints about Heather du Plessis-Allan’s use of the term ‘leeches’ to describe the Pacific Islands during Wellington Mornings with Heather du Plessis-Allan were upheld, under both the good taste and decency and discrimination and denigration standards. The Authority recognised the important role talkback radio plays in fostering open discourse and debate in society. However, the Authority found Ms du Plessis-Allan’s comments went beyond what is acceptable in a talkback environment, considering the use of language that was inflammatory, devalued the reputation of Pasifika people within New Zealand and had the potential to cause widespread offence and distress.

Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Discrimination and Denigration
Not Upheld: Children's Interests, Law and Order, Balance, Accuracy, Fairness 
Orders: Section 13(1)(a) - broadcast statement; Section 16(4) - $3,000 costs to the Crown

Read our media release on this decision hereopen_in_new.
Complaints about Free-to-Air Television Broadcasts
Evans and MediaWorks TV Ltdopen_in_new - 2018-092 

The Authority has upheld a complaint about a broadcast of The DailyMail TV, finding that footage broadcast during the programme was inappropriate for the PGR classification and time of broadcast, and required an audience advisory for disturbing content. The programme was broadcast at 3.30pm on a weekday, and featured partially censored footage of an American stabbing victim in the moments before she died. While the woman’s injuries were blurred, her distressed facial expression and blood splatters on the floor were visible. A second story featured censored footage of two 19-year-old women who claimed they had been drugged, filmed inside a bar naked and allegedly performing sex acts. The Authority found that this content went beyond what could be expected from a PGR-classified programme broadcast during children’s normally accepted viewing times and that the programme should have been classified AO – Adults Only. Further, the sexual material and disturbing nature of these stories required an audience advisory.

Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Children's Interests 
Order: Section 16(4) - $1,000 costs to the Crown 

Read our media release on this decision hereopen_in_new. 

Did you know...? 


Broadcasts relating to local body elections are subject to the usual broadcasting standards contained in the Broadcasting Standards in New Zealand Codebookopen_in_new. The Election Programmes Codeopen_in_new applies only to election programmes broadcast during general elections or by-elections (not local body elections). The next local body elections will be held on 12 October 2019. 

Candidates should be aware of their obligations under the Local Electoral Act 2001 and other governing legislation. For further information, see the Department of Internal Affairs' websiteopen_in_new or visit Local Councils' websiteopen_in_new. 

Media News

In this section we provide a range of recent publications that are relevant to the broadcasting sector: 

New Zealand 

NZ On Air and RNZ Joint Innovation fundopen_in_new 

Burger King removes 'racist' ad in New Zealandopen_in_new 

Video interpreting service extends to weekendsopen_in_new

Social media regulation post-Christchurchopen_in_new 

Media Council: Story breached name suppressionopen_in_new 

John Campbell to replace Jack Tame on Breakfast, as Tame takes over Q&Aopen_in_new 

Online hate a growing concern between New Zealand's pro and anti-rodeo groupsopen_in_new 

After 27 years, Larry Williams leaves Newstalk ZB open_in_new

Christchurch-made children's show Kiri and Lou is winning with kindnessopen_in_new 

Editorial: Taming Facebook requires a mix of local and global actionopen_in_new

International

2019 World Press Freedom Indexopen_in_new

Jon Snow's 'white people' comment prompts more than 2,000 complaintsopen_in_new 

United States classed as 'problematic' place for journalists to workopen_in_new 

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