Nigel Studdart on Close Up The Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld a Northland school’s complaint about a Close Up piece on its principal's anti marriage equality comments in a school newsletter. Pompallier Catholic College was unhappy with the piece on teacher Nigel Studdart's suspension for supporting students who spoke out against the column. The College said the Close Up item was unfair because it suggested that the teacher was suspended merely for holding a different opinion to the Principal, and that it was inaccurate to claim that students were “threatened”. The BSA agreed it was misleading and unfair of Close Up not to make reference to additional reasons for Studdart’s suspension, such as challenging the order and authority of the school. “The impression created by the item was that the teacher’s suspension was based solely on a difference of moral opinion in regard to same sex marriage, and for his support of students who objected to the Principal’s comments. The failure to provide context around the reasons for his suspension created an unfair impression of the Principal and the College,” it says. The BSA also found that the item was misleading in stating ‘unequivocally’ that students were threatened in relation to setting up a Facebook page. “We accept that students may well have perceived the Principal’s exercise of authority and his request to remove the Facebook page as threatening. It is clear from the information provided to us, namely the guidance counsellor’s report, that the Principal and staff present at the meeting would not categorise the request to remove the Facebook page as a threat.” However the BSA has made no order for a statement or apology saying that the essence of the story was reflected in extensive coverage by other media at the time. It says the impact of any statement would also be minimal, particularly as Close Up is no longer on air.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 7th October 2013 - 11:57am