TVNZ's Iraq item was unfair to Hager says watchdog

A Television New Zealand item on New Zealand Army engineers in Iraq last year was inaccurate and unfair to journalist Nicky Hager, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has ruled.

The item, broadcast on May 16, referred to an article by Hager published in the Sunday Star-Times.

Hager's article had said that only a fraction of anticipated humanitarian and reconstruction work had been done and the British Army had arranged "quick win humanitarian projects" for New Zealand engineers.

He complained that the TVNZ item said his article claimed New Zealand engineers in Iraq were exaggerating their achievements.

The authority upheld Hager's complaint that the One News item had inaccurately reported that he said the engineers were exaggerating their achievements. "In incorrectly reporting his article, the item exposed Mr Hager to unwarranted criticism - both from the troops in Iraq and also from the viewing public."

But the authority dismissed a claim the item was unbalanced.

No penalty was imposed on TVNZ other than publication of the decision.

- NZPA