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Bulletin Number 90
Message from the Chief Executive
Tēnā koutou
Today marks two weeks since the attacks in Christchurch. We are deeply saddened by what has occurred and our thoughts are with all those affected, particularly our Muslim community and the families of the victims.
This is an unprecedented event for New Zealand. The terrorist attack and the coverage relating to it has raised challenging issues for audiences, media, other content providers, and platforms, both in New Zealand and globally. The BSA is directly concerned with freedom of expression without harm, and so these issues are an important focus for us. Broadcasting standards are there to guide broadcasters as they provide coverage of this event. Guidance issued by the BSA on Use of Social Media Content in Broadcastingopen_in_new is also a useful resource. We have a new page on our website, called 'Christchurchopen_in_new', which contains information and guidance for broadcasters, and details for members of the public about where to complain about content and how to find support. We intend to issue further information for broadcasters shortly.
If you have any further questions or need further guidance, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@bsa.govt.nz or on 0800 366 996.
On a more positive note, in the coming weeks you will see a refreshed BSA website. This is the result of feedback from all of you. As the front door to the BSA, it is rich with information about broadcasting standards, guidance for broadcasters and guidance for complainants. We hope that you will find it accessible, modern, friendly and easy to use. Once launched, any feedback is welcome.
Ngā mihi
Belinda
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Over the last month:
- The Authority published four broadcasting standards decisionsopen_in_new.
- We have fielded and responded to a number of enquiries and complaints, and engaged with other agencies and broadcasters, relating to the events in Christchurch.
- We have continued to progress the build of our new website which will go live in the coming weeks.
- Our annual litmus testing project kicked off, with focus groups taking place across New Zealand.
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The four decisions issued this month are available on our website, and include:
- Ngapo & Tolungamaka and Television New Zealand Ltdopen_in_new - Shortland Street - Good Taste and Decency, Law and Order (Not Upheld, highlighted below)
- Ungemuth and SKY Network Television Ltdopen_in_new - Uncharted with Sam Neill - Accuracy (Not Upheld)
- XD and MediaWorks TV Ltdopen_in_new - Newshub and The AM Show - Programme Information, Violence, Discrimination and Denigration, Accuracy, Fairness (Not Upheld)
- Flutey & Rzesniowiecki and MediaWorks TV Ltdopen_in_new - The AM Show - Good Taste and Decency, Children’s Interests, Violence, Law and Order, Discrimination and Denigration, Balance, Accuracy, Privacy, Fairness (Not Upheld)
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Complaints about Free-to-Air Television Broadcasts
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Ngapo & Tolungamaka and Television New Zealand Ltdopen_in_new - 2018-099
The Authority has not upheld two complaints about episodes of Shortland Street, which followed the ongoing storyline of a threesome between a married couple and their nanny. The Authority acknowledged that some viewers might find this storyline distasteful and that some scenes and references might have raised questions for children. However, the Authority found that various contextual factors, including audience expectations of the long-running television drama and a warning for sexual material, prepared audiences for the likely content and minimised the potential for undue harm. The sexual material and references contained in these episodes were relatively inexplicit, with no nudity or sexual activity beyond kissing shown. Finally, the fictional sexual activity took place between consenting adults and no illegal or seriously antisocial activity was portrayed during the programme. The Authority therefore found no grounds to justify restricting the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression.
Not Upheld: Good Taste and Decency, Law and Order
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