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.