Sat 20 Jun 2009 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A gay business owner has pulled his advertising from Radio Live, and GayNZ.com readers have asked us how to make Broadcasting Standards Authority complaints, following John Tamihere's explosive commentary on the accused HIV+ man now in custody in Auckland. Radio rants: John Tamihere Tamihere and his in-studio guest, high-profile Auckland restaurateur Leo Molloy, spoke about the case frequently during his three-hour talkback show on Tuesday 16 June, making statements about promiscuity in the gay community, and taking callers who described gay men as "bummers" and "homos" who "treat their bodies like fairgrounds". "All homosexual people should be given the bash," announced one caller, who was quickly cut off, then invited to call back. Campbell Orr, owner of K' Road's iconic drag cabaret restaurant Caluzzi, says he called the radio station to cancel his advertising contract immediately after reading quotes from Tamihere and Molloy on GayNZ.com. "The things they were saying were shocking," Orr explains. "I know the action I've taken is only a small thing, but I wanted to take a stand against those radio hosts who say and encourage those sorts of statements. I didn't want our brand anywhere around that stuff, and I hope others take a similar view." GayNZ.com has been contacted by two readers who asked for information on making an official complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority. The BSA states that 'discrimination and denigration' during a radio broadcast are grounds for a complaint: "Broadcasters should not encourage discrimination against, or denigration of, any section of the community on account of sex, sexual orientation, race, age, disability, occupational status, or as a consequence of legitimate expression of religion, culture or political belief," specifies the BSA's Radio Code. Media watchdog show Media7 on digital channel TVNZ7 will discuss Tamihere and Molloy's comments in an upcoming episode.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Saturday, 20th June 2009 - 8:45pm