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The New Zealand Press Council
If you have a complaint about the editorial content of a newspaper, magazine or periodical in circulation in New Zealand (including their websites) you may complain to the Press Council.
The Press Council was established in 1972 as an industry self-regulatory body and provides an independent forum for resolving complaints involving the press.
The Press Council is funded by industry and there is no cost to lodge a complaint.
The Press Council also lobbys on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Press issues.
Press Council Members
NEW ZEALAND PRESS COUNCIL OFFICERS
Barry Paterson CNZM, OBE, QC Independent Chairman, Retired High Court Judge, Auckland
Mary Major Executive Director
Representing the public
Lynn Scott Director, Wellington
Keith Lees Teacher, Christchurch
Pip Bruce Ferguson Independent Researcher, Hamilton
Sandy Gill Consultant and mother, Lower Hutt
Chris Darlow Lawyer, Auckland
Representing the Newspaper Publishers Association (NPA)
Clive Lind Editorial Development, FairfaxNZ, Wellington
John Roughan New Zealand Herald Assistant Editor, Auckland
Representing Magazine Publishers
Kate Coughlan Editor, NZ Life & Leisure and NZ House & Garden, Auckland
Representing the NZ Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (Media Division)
Stephen Stewart Journalist, Wellington
Penny Harding Journalist, Wellington
Recent Ruling
Case Number: 2212 NZQA AGAINST NORTH & SOUTH
Council Meeting OCTOBER 2011
The NZQA and the PPTA complained variously that a North & South article Blowing the Whistle on NCEA breached Press Council Principles relating to accuracy, fairness and balance,and failing to distinguish between comment and fact.
The Press Council finding noted that the Council was not in a position to say the article was inaccurate.
The Press Council reaffirmed that publications are entitled to take a forthright stance and advocate a position on any issue.
But this article contained specific and potentially damaging allegations that in fairness, for balance and, not least, for the sake of its readers should have been put to NZQA and the PPTA. The complaint was upheld in terms of Principle 1 concerning fairness and balance.
The Press Council did not see any confusion between fact and opinion. North & South and the writer of this article have previously expressed strong views about the NCEA system. There was no doubt that the article was expressing the opinions of the writer and the others interviewed. The complaint was not upheld on principle 4.
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