Henry off the hook again

Paul Henry

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BAD BOY television host Paul Henry has again escaped censure from the Broadcasting Standards Authority after a controversial comment about flying a Maori flag from the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day.

Henry, host of TV One's Breakfast, has been the subject of at least 14 complaints to the BSA since he started on the show four years ago. At least 10 of those have been in the past 18 months.

None have been upheld, including the infamous "moustachegate" incident earlier this year, in which Henry mocked a female interviewee for having a moustache.

In its latest ruling on Henry, the BSA failed to uphold a complaint over a comment he made that flying a Maori flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge on Waitangi Day was a waste of time and money. The BSA said the item did not encourage denigration of Maori or breach broadcasting standards.

The authority is still to rule on complaints over Henry's description of singer Susan Boyle as retarded. The broadcaster subsequently apologised to the IHC for the comment.

Meanwhile, the BSA has also ruled a television news show's controversial parody of what the Rugby World Cup would look like if broadcast on Maori TV, was within the bounds of good taste.

Reporter Ali Ikram presented the parody in October on Nightline, including a clip of an All Black diving for the winning try in the final which is then interrupted by the announcement: "Pakeha, it's time to talk. There's a few things we need to sort out and you won't get to see the rest of the game until we have."

Maori TV accused its rival of being racist and was one of four complainants. The BSA ruled last week, saying the item was legitimate satire.