Making a hash of radio job

A Great Barrier Island radio station announcer who abused police officers after they sprayed some of the island's cannabis crop has been ordered to apologise on air.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority upheld complaints that The Beach 94.6FM breached two principles of the Radio Code of Broadcasting Practice.

On March 19 this year Beach 94.6FM announcer Tony Storey, who was arrested in the police operation, referred to police in disparaging terms and broadcast songs with offensive lyrics.

The complaints were lodged by two police officers' wives.

The authority found the principle of good taste and decency had been breached and upheld the complaint about the offensive language and lyrics.

It also found the principle of law and order was breached when Storey encouraged listeners to protest by smoking cannabis at the radio station.

The authority ordered that the station broadcast an apology and a statement summarising why the complaints were upheld.

- NZPA