From: 
 
Sent: Monday, 2 March 2026 10:20 am
To: 
Phil O'Sullivan
Subject: RE: Law and order story
 
Mōrena
 
I can add that we had 12 formal complaints about the story – alleging bias, inaccuracy and
lack of fairness – most complained under Balance. This is not a huge number in terms of
complaints  – we could have 100- 150 complaints about stories (particularly stories about
1News Kantar poll results and economics) last election.
 
There were three themes for Benedict’s story – ‘a gang law beat up,’ showing gangs or regalia,
and not mentioning the 49,000 fewer victims.
 
1.  Bias - gang law beat up
2.  2- Opotiki – showing gangs there
3.  Showing gang patches
4.  Bias made no reference to National lowering crime rates
5.  Bias- govt announces 49,00 fewer victims
6.  Bias – gang numbers
7.  Bias – govt announces 49,000 fewer victims
8.  Balance – how about reporting on some positive news
9.  Bias 49,00 fewer victims
10.  No reporting in drop in crime
11.  Cherry picking an aspect of released data
12.  Reduction of  crime 49,000 not mentioned.
 
The complaints about not mentioning the reduced victim numbers – are almost word for word

---

Mark Mitchell’s Facebook post.
 
If we do believe that the story lacked balance then that can be remedied 
 
For what it’s worth I thought the gang story is in the public interest, 
in terms of the Balance standard that’s not the only time it can happen.
 
Please let me know if you need more,
 

---