News release 4 July 2003

Nicky Hager responds to BSA decision

Researcher and writer Nicky Hager says he feels vindicated by today's Broadcasting Standards Authority decision on the GM corn issue, which failed - despite the concerted efforts of the Government and pro-GM lobby - to find a single inaccuracy in his book Seeds of Distrust.

"I am very pleased that the two main allegations in the BSA complaints - about the so-called ambush interview and the accuracy of the story - have not been upheld", he said.

"What is left is a very political decision. While not upholding the main complaints, it appears that the BSA members did not have the courage to dismiss completely a complaint from the Prime Minister. Thus the decision against TV3, but only on small, peripheral issues."

"I am sure that if this case had been Paul Holmes challenging some un-powerful member of the public, the BSA would not have looked twice at it."

"It is fitting that the BSA delayed its announcement of the decision until a Friday afternoon just before a Parliamentary recess, the traditional time for less-than-enthusiastic announcements."

"With this diversion out of the way, the Government should finally be open with the public about its corn decisions in December 2000."

ENDS