Talkback's Michael Laws reprimanded for abuse

Talkback host Michael Laws has had a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) against him upheld for "sustained personal abuse" of two firemen.

On Radio Live, Laws railed against Manukau chief fire officer Larry Cocker and National Commander Mike Hall for comments they made after a fatal South Auckland house fire in January.

Four children died in the fire, which the firemen said might have been prevented had chips not been left unattended in a frying pan, and smoke alarms been installed and/or operational.

Laws accused the Fire Service of using "little dead Polynesian kiddies as a marketing tool".

In a sustained attack, he said Cocker should have the "er" removed "you're a cock".

He called the firemen "dickheads in a uniform", "idiots", "morons", "arseholes" and said racism was going on.

Scott Sargentina, the Fire Service corporate communications manager, complained to the BSA.

Radio Live said the item had been fair, in that it had broadcast the key Fire Service message, which was the tragedy showed the importance of fire safety.

But the BSA found Laws made abusive remarks against the firemen "which went beyond fair criticism of their professional roles".

It did not uphold a complaint that the Fire Service as a whole had been unfairly treated.

It ordered Radio Live to broadcast a comprehensive summary of its decision on Michael Laws Talkback, on a Wednesday.

- NZPA