Paul Henry 'retard' complaints upheld

TVNZ has upheld complaints against broadcaster Paul Henry for calling singer Susan Boyle "retarded" - though they acknowledged he was just trying to be funny.

On an episode of TV One's Breakfast last month, Henry laughed while reading from a magazine article about how the Britain's Got Talent singer was starved of oxygen at birth and suffered an intellectual disability.

"Here's the really interesting revelation: she is in fact retarded ... And if you look at her carefully, you can make it out," he said.

TVNZ's complaints committee upheld complaints under the good taste and decency standards of the Free to Air Television Code of Broadcasting Practice.

The committee found that although Henry did not mean to be offensive and was trying to be humourous - and that he was known for his provocative sense of humour - his language and the manner of his speech would have offended a significant number of viewers.

TVNZ's head of news and current affairs, Anthony Flannery, said TVNZ was sorry.

"We apologise to those who were hurt and distressed by it."

But he said in 600 hours of live TV each year, Henry rarely overstepped the mark.

"There is a legitimate place for Paul Henry's boundary-pushing style and sense of humour in broadcasting."

In a statement to the committee, Henry said he did not intend to offend disabled people.

"It upsets me greatly that anyone would imagine I had intended to cause offence or hurt over this or any issue.

"In fact, I have a great amount of respect for people who rise to the challenges imposed on them in life."

IHC welcome the decision

IHC New Zealand chief executive Ralph Jones said the organisation was pleased with the decision and with Henry's apology.

"Paul's apology will make things easier for people with intellectual disabilities, who have been enormously embarrassed and offended by what he said," Mr Jones said.

"I'm pleased that TVNZ's stance gives Paul some guidance as to what is appropriate behaviour and language on air.

"Our goal was to make TVNZ and Paul Henry realise that the words they broadcast are extremely powerful and can affect how people feel about themselves and others.

"My challenge to Paul is to use his position as a broadcaster in a positive way, not to denigrate groups of society who have difficulty speaking up."

Mr Jones said the apology was sufficient and IHC did not plan on taking the issue any further.

- © Fairfax NZ News