Complaints against Holmes rejected

Complaints about two comments made by broadcaster Paul Holmes were not upheld by the Broadcasting Standards Authority in decisions released yesterday.

The authority received a complaint from Jonathan Shenken about Holmes' description on Newstalk ZB radio in March of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as "the butcher Sharon".

The complaint said the comment breached principles of good taste and decency, balance, and fairness, and had encouraged discrimination.

In its determination on the remark, the authority said Holmes' comment had been contained in an opinion piece made in a satirical and somewhat glib manner. The word "butcher", while highly critical, had been used elsewhere in the media, it said.

"The authority acknowledges that world leaders can be subject to harsh, indeed vitriolic, criticism by the media. It is an important aspect of the concept of freedom of speech. Such comments can be provocative, as they were on this occasion, and they are not meant to be impartial."

A complaint from Don McDonald referred to Holmes' comment on TVNZ's Holmes programme in February that TV3 presenter John Campbell had been said to be getting it "up the chutney".

The comment had apparently been made by a TV3 executive to a TVNZ executive in the High Court where TV3 was appealing against a decision by the authority about the "Corngate" news special which included an interview by Campbell of Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The New Zealand Herald newspaper had reported that Campbell called the High Court inquiring about the possible political leanings of Justice Young, who was hearing TV3's appeal, the authority said.

The complaint had said Holmes' comment breached a standard of good taste and decency, and had been a "vicious attack" by one presenter on another, with internet research showing the remark to be offensive.

In its determination on the complaint, the authority said the essential aspect of context was the mocking tone in which the remark was delivered.

It had no doubt the meaning of the phrase "up the chutney" on this occasion was that provided by TVNZ - little more than "bringing something unwanted or unfortunate upon oneself".

"In the context in which it was uttered, the phrase carried the meaning that a presenter on another channel had acted unwisely and was in trouble," the authority said.

- NZPA