DAVE PARTNER AGAINST WHANGANUI CHRONICLE
Case Number: 3199
Council Meeting: FEBRUARY 2022
Decision: No Grounds to Proceed
Publication: Wanganui Chronicle
Principle:
Ruling Categories:
Letters to the Editor, Closure, Non-Publication
Te Reo and reporting on Te Ao Maori
Unfair Coverage
Overview
CASE NO: 3199
RULING BY THE NEW ZEALAND MEDIA COUNCIL ON THE COMPLAINT OF DAVE PARTNER AGAINST THE WHANGANUI CHRONICLE
FINDING: INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS TO PROCEED
DATE: FEBRUARY 2022
Dave Partner complained about the editing or non-publication of letters to the editor in the Whanganui Chronicle. He also complained that the space available for letters to the editor had now been reduced.
He said there was no doubt the editor tended to support issues favourable to Māori and it appeared the paper was no longer airing comments that might differ or challenge that view.
Editor Kim Gillespie replied saying a variety of views were welcome in the letters column. However, the editor reserved the right to edit, amend or reject any letter. The editor’s decision on publication was final and no correspondence would be entered into.
Media Council Principle 5 states “Letters for publication are the prerogative of editors who are to be guided by fairness, balance and the public interest. Abridgement is acceptable but should not distort meaning.”
Mr Partner did not provide any examples of letters that had been abridged or not published. Without that no case has been made.
There were insufficient grounds to proceed.
