TVNZ 'callous' in showing failed beach rescue

TVNZ's decision to show an unsuccessful attempt to resuscitate a drowned man showed a "callous disregard" for the man's family and was bordering on being "exploitative and voyeuristic", says the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

The BSA received three complaints about the item, and found that One News on January 3 breached privacy standards.

The item showed ambulance officers performing CPR on a man who drowned while saving children at Glenbrook Beach.

There was a close-up of the man's chest and a brief shot of a woman sobbing, followed by another shot of the man's chest.

The grieving family was shown eight times, including in close-ups, the decision said.

A warning was given before the images were shown.

TVNZ said the item was intended to convey an important public safety message and it was in the public's interest to see the material. But the BSA decided this did not justify broadcasting images of family members in a vulnerable, private moment.

No orders were made as the complaint was upheld in a majority decision.