By LOUISA CLEAVE television editor
Paul Holmes has eaten humble pie and apologised to TVNZ chairman Ross Armstrong for impugning his integrity in a row over the presenter's pay cut.
Two days after publicly taking on his paymaster, Holmes said he regretted his reaction to a front-page Weekend Herald story which revealed that his pay had been slashed by more than $150,000.
In a statement issued through TVNZ yesterday, Holmes attempted to "withdraw" comments he made to the media, which included demanding a public apology from Dr Armstrong. Instead, it was Holmes saying sorry.
"I wish to apologise to Ross and his family for any upset caused by my reaction.
"I regret making any comment that appeared to impugn the integrity of the chairman."
Holmes said he had "assumed" that Dr Armstrong had discussed his salary and breached the confidentiality of his contract with TVNZ.
Dr Armstrong said he accepted Holmes' apology and regretted the misunderstanding.
The Herald revealed that TVNZ's top pay bracket of between $770,000 and $780,000 had been cut 20 per cent under a drive by the board to reduce presenter salaries.
Dr Armstrong was replying to questions about a report by parliament's commerce committee which said the top salary at TVNZ had not been reduced.
Dr Armstrong, who did not mention Holmes by name, said the reduction in the top salary was in line with cuts previously reported, and would show up in the 2001 and 2002 annual reports.
Media commentator Jim Tully said the Holmes concession indicated that he had been pressured into an apology by his TVNZ bosses.
"A fair degree of offence must have been caused, some pretty harsh words must have been said because you would have the impression Holmes is big within the context of TVNZ and more likely to be able to say these things and not suffer any particular repercussions.
"But if he has been forced into apologising, that would suggest things have got fairly serious."
Mr Tully, head of journalism at Canterbury University, said he would have expected Holmes to check the story with Dr Armstrong before making statements to the media. His credibility as a presenter might be affected by his outburst.
"I don't think anybody who is in the role of a journalist or current affairs presenter wants to be seen to have spoken out injudiciously or to have got things wrong."
A Sorry State of Affairs
Holmes is not unfamiliar with the art of apologising. Outbursts over the years have led to the broadcaster making at least five public apologies, including his latest to Dr Armstrong.
In December last year, he backed down on comments made about The Warehouse founder Stephen Tindall on his breakfast radio show. Holmes accused Mr Tindall of refusing to sponsor television coverage of the Paralympics but later said he was wrong to make the statement.
In September, Holmes made an on-air apology to Solomon Islanders for swearing during a broadcast shown in the islands. He used the f-word during ad breaks, not realising he was still on air in the Solomons.
In 1998, Holmes ribbed a Gulf-bound pilot during a live interview. He revealed the officer was seeing two women at once and the next morning apologised to him and the Air Force on radio.
Holmes also said he regretted not speaking nicely to Whitcoulls staff during a promotion for his book in December 1999.
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