Indian taxi joke 'not racist'

A joke on a Solid Gold FM breakfast show about Indian taxi drivers was not racist and did not dehumanise Indians, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has ruled.

John McGeechan of Auckland complained that a joke on March 27 this year reduced Indians to a "comical race of cab drivers" and dehumanised them.

The joke involved an Indian who went to heaven. An angel at the gates said, "Yes, what do you want?". The Indian said, "I'm here for Jesus!". The angel then shouted, "Jesus, your taxi's here!"

Mr McGeechan made a formal complaint to CanWest RadioWorks and said the joke should be not be excused as "legitimate humour" because it was racist.

"Racism takes many forms, and although this may not be the burning cross on the front lawn, it is nevertheless very offensive."

CanWest disagreed with Mr McGeechan and said the host of the breakfast show was well known for his trademark "wide ranging and even-handed irreverence".

BSA chairwoman Joanne Morris said in the ruling that while the BSA had some concern about the "obvious racial stereotyping" in the joke, there was nothing negative about being a taxi driver. It did not uphold the complaint.

- NZPA