Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Authority rules against sexual content in TV shows

Updated at 8:48 pm on 20 September 2010

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has issued rulings against two televison programmes over scenes involving sexual content.

It says a scene in Home and Away which screened on TV3 in March this year breached standards of good taste and decency, responsible programming and children's interests.

The scene involved two adults kissing and shedding items of clothing.

The authority said the episode, which ran at 5.30pm, should have been given a PGR classification to indicate the need for parental guidance.

It has also upheld a complaint against the TV One comedy-drama Hung, about a male prostitute.

A scene that screened in March portrayed nudity and a sex act, which the authority says went beyond the level of sexual content viewers would expect to see on free-to-air television and breached standards of good taste and decency.

The authority's chief executive, Dominic Sheehan, says no fines have been handed down, but the rulings contain clear guidelines for the broadcasters.

Television New Zealand and TV3 are considering whether to appeal against the rulings.

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