NZ channel fined for racist remark on Delhi CM

Melbourne: A controversial New Zealand Broadcaster has been slapped with a fine of $ 2444 for airing a racist joke on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit last October during a TV show.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) also criticised former Breakfast host Paul Henry who while hosting a TV show used derogatory remarks against the Delhi Chief Minister in the course of a discussion on the Commonwealth Games, poking fun at her name.

In its decision taken at a meeting, the BSA labeled the exchange, a breach of standards of decency and fairness as well as being discriminatory. It ordered TVNZ to pay 2444 New Zealand dollar fine.

The BSA said Henry's statements were offensive to both Dikshit and to all Indian people.

"We consider that Henry's repeated ridicule of Dikshit's name amounted to a sustained and deliberate attack against the Chief Minister personally.

"His subsequent comment, which associated the words 'dick shit' with people of Indian descent was not only derogatory but entirely dissonant with common decency and a clear breach of the discrimination and denigration standard," BSA decision said.

It was also noted that Henry's manner, which included sneering and uncontrollable laughter during the segment, worsened his offence.

The state-owned network had earlier issued an apology, admitting the comments were offensive and discriminatory, but unhappy complainants referred the matter

to the BSA.

In a sternly worded rebuke, the BSA found that the comments were "not only derogatory but entirely dissonant with common decency and a clear breach of the discrimination and denigration standard".

It said the words amounted to a "sustained and deliberate attack against the Chief Minister personally".

Media reports quoted Henry as saying that he was unfazed with the BSA decision and said he had "a lot more to worry about than these insignificant rulings".

"Will it never end? It is a completely ridiculous ruling made by completely ridiculous people for completely ridiculous reasons...I have been able to move on," he said.