TV3 complaints upheld

Complaints have been upheld against a TV3 documentary which alleged the poisoning of New Plymouth residents by a herbicide manufacturer was covered-up by the Government.

Let Us Spray aired in October 2006. The reporter interviewed residents of Paritutu who blamed the nearby Ivon Watkins Dow plant, which manufactured herbicides, for illnesses and birth defects.

The documentary outlined the Ministry of Health's response, including testing on residents in 2004 to measure the dioxin in their systems - alleging the study had been flawed and downplayed levels of exposure.

The Ministry of Health and Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), which conducted the study, complained to the Broadcasting Standards Authority, claiming the programme had been unbalanced, inaccurate and unfair.

CanWest was ordered to run a summary of the findings within a month of yesterday's decision. It must pay ESR $11,250 in costs.

- NZPA