Complaint on report dismissed

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 38

Complaint on report dismissed

PA Wellington The Press Council has rejected a complaint by Mr Dick Cuthbert, treasurer of the Citizens Association for Racial Equality against the “Auckland Star.” The complaint concerned a report printed in the “Star” on September 11 of proceedings in the Auckland District Court against Constable Patterson Unasa. He had appeared on two charges of assault and two of disorderly behaviour, arising out of an

incident at the Shakespeare tavern in April. It was alleged that after Constable Unasa had been ejected from the public bar, he hit the tavern owner on the head with a haymaker punch. “The Star's” report was headed “Policeman Cleared on Assault Charge,” and the lead paragraph said he had been discharged without conviction on charges of disorderly behaviour and assault. i The report concluded: “Discharging Unasa,

Judge Robert Kerr said he took into account his • fine work record and the effect a conviction could have on his career. He ordered Unasa to pay $2OO costs.” The kernel of Mr Cuthbert’s complaint the Press Council said, was that the “Star’s” report failed to make it clear that on one charge of disorderly behaviour the judge had held the charge proven but had elected i not to enter a conviction for the reasons stated. In a letter to the editor

Mr Cuthbert had claimed the heading was inaccurate and grossly misleading. The Press Council, dismissing the complaint, said it seemed that at the time there was some uncertainty about the precise details of the judge’s decision. The “New Zealand Herald’s” report was similar to the Star’s. It too did not say explicitly that one charge had been held proven but that no convic-

l tion was entered on it. The court record made ■ the point clear. The Press Council said it saw no reason to con- ’ . elude there was any sinister motive behind the “Star’s” failure to include the particular detail about which Mr Cuthbert complained. Doubtless the report • would have been more t complete had it done so, s but it could not be said 1 that what was published ■ was incorrect.