TVNZ ordered to apologise to Colin Craig

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig. Photo / Mark Mitchell

TVNZ has been ordered to broadcast an apology to Conservative Party leader Colin Craig over an item it ran on Seven Sharp.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority says an item from April 24 - a short skit "lampooning" Mr Craig over his threat of defamation against a satirical website - was "childish and unfair".

The BSA says while it recognises the value of satire and free speech, the BSA found that the comments about his personal character and attributes went too far.

Read Colin Hogg's opinion on why Seven Sharp has got to go.

It says Mr Craig was given no opportunity to defend himself.

Another complaint about Seven Sharp's treatment of Mr Craig's opposition to gay marriage, in an item that aired on April 17, was not upheld.

In that case the BSA decided the item was topical and political and while it might not have been to everyone's taste, it did not breach standards.

TVNZ has been ordered to broadcast an apology to Mr Craig for unfair treatment and pay $1500 costs to the Crown.

In another decision relating to Seven Sharp, the majority of the authority declined to uphold a complaint that an item about the predictions of a climate scientist breached the balance standard.

- nzherald.co.nz