Sex talk complaint is rejected

Press, 10 September 1983, Page 15

Sex talk complaint is rejected

A complaint to the Broadcasting Corporation by Miss Patricia Bartlett, secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, about a Radio New Zealand “Tonight Show” broadcast was not upheld, the B.C.N.Z. has announced.

It was noted the programme, on April 6, was advertised as an adult “talkback” arid scheduled at 10 p.m.

While acknowledging it was explicit in references to sexual activity, the corporation considered that, in the context of the discussion involving Dr LlewellynJones (an associate professor at Sydney University) and having regard to the late time of the broadcast, it did not contravene the requirements of the Broadcasting Act or Rule 5.24 (1) (c) or 1.1 (b). A complaint by Mr R. W. Dawson about a report on student finances in TVNZ’s “Today Tonight” programme was upheld in that it gave an inaccurate picture of the numbers of students in receipt of the

various forms of financial assistance. A complaint by Mr D. H. F. Green on behalf of the Nelson Harbour Board about a “Today Tonight” item on TVNZ was not upheld. It was considered the item correctly represented the views of the yachtsmen concerned, including their understanding of the notice given to them, and that to have withdrawn the statements would have resulted in a misrepresentation of the yachtsmen’s views.

A complaint by the research manager of Ivon Watkins Dow, Ltd, about TVNZ’s “Eye Witness” coverage of a chemical wastes dump was upheld in part in that references to starlings and eggs at the end of the programme on April 29, without mention of DDT being the problem, left a misleading impression. It also noted that interest in the disposal of dioxin was still current and a further programme on the topic was intended.

A complaint by the acting secretary of the National

Union of Railwaymen about coverage of South Island transport matters in TVNZ’s “Eye Witness News” was upheld in part. The corporation noted that reliance on the Minister of Transport alone to provide the views of the Railways Corporation was insufficient; but also that there was still interest in the subject and that an opportunity would be given by TVNZ for the Railways Corporation’s position to be shown. A complaint by Mr H. G. Purdy, acting general manager of the Railways Corporation, about the same item was also upheld in part in that it fell short of the requirements of 5.24 (1) (e) of the act. A complaint by Mr A. J. Simpson on behalf of the P.S.A. about TVNZ’s news item on coverage of a

Dunedin fire on May 12 was not upheld. It noted that having regard to the absence of reasons for the action by P.S.A. members, the use of the expression “blacked” was not considered to be inaccurate.