PETER MATHEWS AGAINST STUFF
Case Number: 3185
Council Meeting: JANUARY 2022
Decision: No Grounds to Proceed
Publication: Stuff
Principle:
Accuracy, Fairness and Balance
Comment and Fact
Ruling Categories:
Accuracy
Comment and Fact
Disinformation, Misinformation
Covid
Overview
CASE NO: 3185
RULING BY THE NEW ZEALAND MEDIA COUNCIL ON THE COMPLAINT OF PETER MATHEWS AGAINST STUFF
FINDING: INSUFFICIENT GROUNDS TO PROCEED
DATE: JANUARY 2022
Stuff published an article on January 5, 2021, headlined Covid-19; Race to roll out vaccine boosters before Omicron spreads in NZ.
The article included comment from the Ministry of Health that “Evidence shows a booster or third dose is effective in increasing protection significantly.”
Peter Mathews complained there was no evidence or linked studies to prove this.
As the comment was made by the Ministry of Health and not by the Stuff reporter, Mr Mathews’ complaint may be made to the Ministry of Health, but from the perspective of Stuff was a quoted statement from a reputable source.
The Stuff article accurately reported the views expressed by the Ministry of Health. There was supporting comment from a prominent epidemiologist. The Media Council can see no ground for complaint that the article was in breach of its principles relating to accuracy, fairness and balance, or comment and fact.
There were insufficient grounds to proceed.