Footage of a joint being rolled and smoked by two people as part of a cannabis decriminalisation story has landed What Now? children's television show in hot water.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld a complaint by Palmerston North mother Sharon Wilton that the footage shown at 5 pm on July 13 was unsuitable for a children's programme.
But the authority did not impose any penalty on TVNZ.
Ms Wilton said in her complaint that she had not heard the item, but the footage was not appropriate for her 8 and 10-year-old sons.
She wanted to inform her children about drug issues herself and "would like some reassurance that this type of media hype will not be rammed down unsuspecting children and parents' throats again."
In response, broadcaster TVNZ said television was an audio and visual medium and the soundtrack was an integral part of the drug item.
It said the item was "informative and responsible" about the decriminalisation debate, and Green MP Nandor Tanczos had specifically warned on the item that people under 18 should not use cannabis.
But the authority ruled that the footage did not relate to the soundtrack. "There was no visual indication that this activity was in any way problematic or illegal, and the step-by-step process that was shown could arguably be construed as acceptance, at the very least, that this was a normal everyday activity."
This was inappropriate for a young and impressionable audience, the authority said.
Also, the footage was not compatible with the warning about usage under the age of 18.
"The authority concludes that the inclusion of the visuals was accordingly inconsistent with the broadcaster's obligation to be mindful of children."
- NZPA
TVNZ kids' show rebuked for cannabis item
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