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New Zealand
[NZ On Air request email]
www.nzonair.govt.nz
Tel: 04 382 9524
Fax: 04 382 9546
1 October 2020
David Johnston
Via em
ail: [FYI request #13804 email]
Tēnā koe Mr Johnston
Official Information request and response
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act (“OIA”) dated 15 September 2020.
You have requested:
Can you please provide any documents relating to the vetting or establishing the credentials of
the doctors appearing on the TVNZ show 'The Check-up', or any correspondence regarding the
credibility or appropriateness of views either expressed in the show or held by the doctors
appearing in the show.
Under the Broadcasting Act 1989, NZ On Air does not have editorial control or comment on the
productions that it funds. The casting and vetting of presenters is an editorial decision and is the
responsibility of the producer, Great Southern Television.
In our contracting with the producer we include the following clause to ensure that all Content meets the
following broadcast standards and all applicable laws and regulations:
Al Content must meet the standards in section 4(1) of the Broadcasting Act 1989 (as if the Content
was a “programme” under the Act). This includes maintaining standards that are consistent with:
the observance of good taste and decency;
• the maintenance of law and order;
• the privacy of the individual; and
• any approved code of broadcasting practice applying to the programmes
If you believe broadcasting standards have been breached in the presentation of information for
The
Check Up you may fol ow the complaints procedure as outlined by the Broadcasting Standard Authority
here:
For your information, funding provided by NZ On Air for all successful projects is searchable on our
website. You can also sign up to receive our bi-monthly industry newsletter via our website.
You have the right to refer this response to the Ombudsman if you are dissatisfied with it. More
information on how to do this is
here. NZ On Air proactively releases information in accordance with the
Government’s commitment to the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan. This includes
Connecting and reflecting our nation
publishing responses to requests for information under the OIA. Please note that this response (with your
name removed) wil be published on the NZ On Air website shortly and will remain on our website for 12
months.
Thank you for your interest in our work.
Yours sincerely
Clare Helm
Head of Corporate Services
Connecting and reflecting our nation