RadioLive could face $100k fine for PM show

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Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:30p.m.

John Key hosted 'The Prime Minister's Hour' on September 30

John Key hosted 'The Prime Minister's Hour' on September 30

By Kim Choe

RadioLive could face a hefty fine after the Electoral Commission decided a show hosted by John Key last September broke the law.

Despite a complaint from the Labour Party being dismissed by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), the Commission says the hour-long show amounted to an election programme and so was prohibited.

RadioLive faces a fine of up to $100,000 if it is found guilty of breaching the Broadcasting Act.

Mr Key hosted "The Prime Minister's Hour" on September 30 – less than two months before the general election.

During the hour Mr Key claimed it was not an election stunt, saying the show was "an election-free zone".

“If you want to ring and ask me about whether we have a cat or what my favourite food is feel free, but if you want to know about tax policy come back another day.”

However, that was not enough to keep RadioLive out of trouble.

The Electoral Commission has decided the show was an election programme – something prohibited under the Broadcasting Act.

RadioLive station manager Jana Rangooni was surprised by the decision, “especially in light of the fact the BSA decision last year about the PM's Hour was contradictory to this one”.

The Electoral Commission's findings say although the show wasn't political in nature, it did "provide an opportunity for Mr Key to raise his personal profile unfettered by the questioning or challenge typically present in a news, comment or current affairs programme”.

The commission concluded “listeners would regard the show as appearing to encourage or persuade voters to vote for Mr Key's party and for him".

The Electoral Commission warned RadioLive before the broadcast the show would attract close scrutiny, but the station decided to go ahead.

Labour deputy leader Grant Robertson says Labour always felt the broadcast was a breach of election advertising law.

“We felt it was unfair, that's why we took the complaint – and we're very pleased the Electoral Commission's agreed with us.”

Ms Rangooni said the company would go over the decision in detail today.

“I think as it's being referred to the police we'll co-operate with them and see what they want to do with this.”

The Prime Minister has not yet commented on the issue.

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Comments

10 Feb 2012 12:43p.m.

John wrote:

@Chris: No need for namecalling. I never said anything about National raising GST more than labour - not sure what you're on about there. I was pointing out that Key raised GST for the purpose of giving HIMSELF a significant tax cut. And how do you know that the person calling himself "Madness" hasn't worked hard for his money? You're perfect over there on the right - making accusations with absolutely no basis. I have worked very hard and am on a mid-to-high level salary. I inherited nothing from my parents, and wouldn't be where I am now without the taxpayers support. Now that I am a significant taxpayer, I feel proud that I can return that money and support other people.

09 Feb 2012 07:06p.m.

Andew wrote:

And Winston Peters has even suggested the matter be referred to the police. I would have thought a breach involving the Electoral Act would have been a matter for the Ministry of Justice and the Speaker of the House to fight over and nothing to do with the police.

09 Feb 2012 06:31p.m.

Blair wrote:

Mediaworks will be able to afford the $100,000 fine all they have to do is use the money they save from axing local breakfast shows on More FM in Wellington and the Waikato. If not I guess the government could bail Mediaworks out again they have already done it once.

09 Feb 2012 06:13p.m.

T wrote:

A fine, that does nothing. Other consequences have to be explored, this was serious. You put up one political leader to talk with national celebrities weeks before an election. So stupid.

09 Feb 2012 06:04p.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

Its time to get rid of the Electoral Commission. No doubt full of political mates from both major parties, with all their greedy snouts in the tax payers endless trough. It has to be a sick joke of some sort just to have an electoral commission. Is this the sort of thing they discuss?
An alleged $100K fine for Radio Live - the producers of this one hour long talkback show which, despite a complaint from the Labour Party being dismissed by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA). This sort of fine is out of proportion to the alleged breaching of the Broadcasting act.
Its not a blue collar or a white collar crime. Who got hurt?
Sorry - The whinging labour Party got hurt. Say no more.

09 Feb 2012 03:38p.m.

Chris wrote:

'John' Labour has raised GST more then National has you moron.
'Madness' [good name for you by the way] Key is well off as he has worked hard for his money - unlike your self. Leftie Socialist love to live out of other peoples wallets and still moan and complain and still want more.

Letfie supports are so bitter and twisted - they walk around with hugh grudges on their shoulders and they just moan and complain all the time like somehow the world owes you a living and somehow you are all 'victims'. You all seem jealous of sucessful and hard working people. Life is what you make it. Move on you morons.

09 Feb 2012 02:30p.m.

John wrote:

I'm sure with the massive personal profits he gained from raising GST and lowering his own taxes, Key wouldn't have a problem paying this...

09 Feb 2012 01:42p.m.

madness wrote:

As Mr Key to pay the fine, he has plenty and after all it was only a publicity stunt again.