BSA finds reference to ‘child pornography’ in news item did not breach standards, but encourages caution and judgement
around terminology
The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has not upheld a complaint that a Newshub item reporting on the arrest of Sir Ron Brierley for alleged possession of ‘child pornography’ should have instead
referred to ‘child exploitation’.
The complaint under the good taste and decency standard was not upheld, as the BSA found in the context of an
unclassified news item carrying high public interest, the use of the phrase did not undermine community standards of
taste and decency or justify limiting freedom of expression.
However the BSA recognised there is some debate about whether ‘child pornography’ is appropriate terminology, on the
basis it may have the effect of normalising or trivialising what is very serious criminal conduct and the impact on
child victims.
The BSA noted that the Digital Safety Team at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) acknowledges the debate and does
not use the term. DIA considers the term ‘child sexual abuse material’ most accurately describes the material.
In its decision, the Authority said, “[w]e encourage broadcasters to take note of the issues highlighted in this
decision including evolving language associated with child sexual abuse, and to exercise judgement when selecting
terminology in reporting on this subject.”