MEDIA RELEASE

23 October 2008

Media Asked to Exercise Restraint on Coverage of Glassie Case

Family First NZ is asking the media to exercise restraint on coverage of the Nia Glassie case because of the level of horrific and upsetting material.

"It was always clear that Nia Glassie was the victim of the most horrendous levels of child abuse," says Bob McCoskrie, National Director of Family First NZ, "and that the offenders found guilty will deserve the disdain of the NZ public."

"But a blow by blow account to the general public, via the media, of the tragic end of Nia's life achieves little."

"To some, the graphic details are highly upsetting. We must expose the level of child abuse and neglect that exists in NZ but this can still be achieved without destroying the dignity and memory of Nia further."

"At the very least, there should be strong warnings regarding the upsetting nature of the details. But we would still question what is achieved by a constant trickle of explicit information and description as the case progresses."

"Most NZ'ers are simply hoping that justice for Nia's death is delivered, and we do not see a repeat of the Kahui case farce," says Mr McCoskrie.

ENDS

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