BSA rules Wairoa rodeo story did not breach fairness standards

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

A rodeo fan has failed to persuade the country’s broadcasting watchdog that a television news item about the sport, was unbalanced and unfair.

The item, which featured footage from a recent rodeo in Wairoa, aired on Newshub Live at 6pm on January 26, this year.

It highlighted a draft report by the Ministry for Primary Industries | Manatū Ahu Matua proposing to ban many aspects of rodeo.

William Jennings complained to the Broadcasting Standards Association (BSA) that the news item lacked “pro-rodeo” perspectives.

However, in its recently-released decision, the BSA found there had been reasonable efforts made to present significant points of view, noting audiences could be expected to be aware of pro-rodeo perspectives as part of ongoing media coverage.

The fairness standard was not breached in respect of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association, who were provided an opportunity to comment and were not otherwise treated unfairly, the BSA said.

The alleged breach did not apply in respect of other individuals or organisations named by Mr Jennings as they were not referred to in the broadcast, as was required by the standard.