BSA does not uphold complaint by 20 complainants

Media Release

30 August 2018

BSA does not uphold complaint by 20 complainants about Punjabi talkback programme, Bhakhde Masley

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has not upheld complaints from 20 members of New Zealand’s Sikh community about a broadcast of Punjabi talkback programme, Bhakhde Masley.

During the broadcast, the host questioned the teachings of a deceased Sikh religious figure by posing hypothetical questions about how the leader and his widow had had children. Referring to the leader’s teachings on celibacy, the host posed provocative questions about how the religious figure’s wife was able to have children.

The Authority recognised that, due to the religious standing of the Sikh leader and his widow, the host’s comments were in poor taste and caused offence to a large section of the Sikh community in New Zealand.

However, 19 of the complainants raised only the privacy standard in their complaints, which applies only to living people. Therefore the privacy standard did not apply to the religious leader or his now deceased widow. One complainant raised standards in addition to privacy, but the standards raised were either not applicable to the particular broadcast or were not breached, given the hypothetical nature of the discussion which was intended to critically question the religious teachings.

The Authority emphasised the value placed on freedom of expression in New Zealand and emphasised the responsibilities that come with the exercise of that right.

“The right to freedom of expression in New Zealand allows broadcasters to raise ideas in a way that might be satirical, provocative or in poor taste, provided it does not cause harm. The right to freedom of expression therefore comes with responsibilities and broadcasting standards are designed to guide broadcasters in this exercise,” the Authority said.

The Authority acknowledged that the broadcast caused significant division within the Sikh community in New Zealand, but explained that its role was limited to considering only the standards raised by the complainants. Given this the Authority found it was unable to uphold the complaints.

ENDS

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