PEDRO SILVA AGAINST RNZ
Case Number: 2752
Council Meeting: FEBRUARY 2019
Decision: No Grounds to Proceed
Publication: Radio NZ
Ruling Categories:
Bias
Discrimination
Overview
CASE NO: 2752
RULING BY THE NEW ZEALAND MEDIA COUNCIL ON THE COMPLAINT OF PEDRO SILVA AGAINST RNZ
FINDING: NO GROUNDS TO PROCEED
DATE: FEBRUARY 2019
Pedro Silva complains about the use of the term “boy racer’ in two news items on RNZ’s website.He says it displays gender bias and is negative towards males. He says gender neutral expressions should be used instead.
He gives examples of terms no longer used – policeman, fireman, service man – which have now been replaced with police officer etc.
RNZ responds that the term “boy racer” is widely used and well understood by their audience.RNZ notes that the discrimination principle does not apply as there was no element of incitement to encourage the audience to take action against the identified group.
The Media Council notes that while “street racer” might be more accurate than “boy racer” the term is widely used as shorthand for those taking part in the activity. It does not find use of the term to be discriminatory.
The Council finds there are no grounds to proceed with the complaint.
Finding: No Grounds to Proceed.