Human Rights Commission
Media release
3 December 2009

Commission works with advocacy organisation on TVNZ complaint

The Human Rights Commission has received more than 220 complaints and expressions of concern about comments made by presenter Paul Henry on Television One’s Breakfast programme on 23 November 2009 about Britain’s Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle.

The calls and emails have expressed the public’s concern, disappointment and anger that a major television broadcaster would allow a presenter to speak with disrespect and laugh about a person with a disability.

The complaints raise issues about the rights of disabled people, but do not fall within the discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act.

The Commission has provided support to People First New Zealand, a self-advocacy organisation for people with learning disabilities, to make a formal complaint to Television New Zealand this week.

A summary of complaints from members of the public to the Commission will be forwarded to the broadcaster by the end of the week.

The Commission also encourages individuals wishing to express concern to contact TVNZ, the Breakfast programme and the Broadcasting Standards Authority directly.

For a copy of the People First NZ complaint to TVNZ go to http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz.

ENDS

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