John Campbell comment escapes censure

A cartoon referring to Prince Philip as "a dork" on TV3's Campbell Live has escaped censure by the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

The complaint was one of five by radio and TV viewers who were offended by host John Campbell's comments. But the authority ruled this week that they did not breach broadcasting codes.

Marking Prince Philip's birthday in June, Campbell said the Prince had criticised a number of groups over the years, then showed a defaced picture of him with a moustache and horns and a speech bubble saying "I'm a dork".

Wellington viewer Robert Martin complained that the cartoon and the presenter's attitude should have also recognised the Prince's "60 years of service to his country".

But the authority ruled the item was a relatively "innocuous prank" in the context of a light-hearted discussion on freedom of expression and therefore did not breach codes of taste and decency, balance or fairness.

Meanwhile, Porirua viewer Clare McClean's complaint about sexual innuendo during TV One's Dancing With the Stars final was dismissed.

Interviewing dancers backstage, host Candy Lane alluded to having "a quickie" later with a male judge - which meant performing a quickstep dance. She later commented on the hip movement of one of the male competitors, saying she was sure "he had no problem moving them back and forth".

Ms McClean complained the remarks were "irreverent and sleazy". The authority ruled they were "mildly sexual double-entendre".

A 95Bfm listener complained after an announcer responded rudely to concerns the listener had raised about earlier on-air comments.

"I'll send you some tampons and tissues," she replied by email. The programme manager said she had been warned about such replies.

- NZPA