TVNZ ordered to stump up for inaccurate and unfair news reports

Television New Zealand has been ordered to pay costs of $9283 for breaching the Broadcasting Act following complaints about two of its programmes.

TVNZ was ordered to pay legal costs of $5283, costs to the Crown of $2500, and to broadcast a statement summarising the authority's findings, following a One News item on an imported Ferrari car on May 9.

It was also ordered to pay $1500 for inaccuracy and unfairness for items on One News and Tonight about gang-related bullying at Taradale High School in Napier.

In its May 9 programme, One News reported that Continental Car Services (CSS) had "refused to hand over" a statement of compliance for an imported Ferrari, and it was engaging in restrictive trading practices.

The programme said: "The luxury import couldn't be put on the road because local agents [CSS] refused to stamp it roadworthy. But now a judge has found the issue wasn't safety, it was protecting their own commercial interests."

CSS managing director Mr Richard Pitt said the company did not have the ability to issue a certificate of compliance because it did not hold the relevant papers, and to do so would have jeopardised its status as an LTSA-approved certifier.

Through his solicitor, he complained to TVNZ that the item was unbalanced, inaccurate, and unfair.

TVNZ disagreed, and Mr Pitt took his complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority, which found that the item created a misleading and unfair impression of the complainant and his company.

In their Taradale High School items, broadcast on April 16, both One News and Tonight reported that a petition given to school governors by students against bullying sought to have the students responsible removed.

One News referred to the troublemakers as Black Power bullies, while Tonight described them as Black Power babies - allegedly in breach of standards relating to balance, accuracy, fairness and children's interests.

Brian Calcinai, chairman of the school's board of trustees, complained to the broadcaster.

Mr Calcinai said the item implied the school had done nothing until the petition, which was wrong. Five students had been suspended, with the petition being tabled as part of the defence at the hearings.

He also said the news item's description of the letter was pure fabrication, as it did not refer to Black Power babies, or bullies, or ask for the removal of any students, as they had already been removed.

Among many other complaints, he also said the story gave the impression the situation was one-sided. Mr Calcinai was dissatisfied with the broadcaster's response and referred his complaints to the authority.

The authority found that the item generally misrepresented events at the school, and upheld all three aspects of Mr Calcinai's accuracy complaint.

- NZPA