Hauraki’s high-jinks cost 8 grand

The Broadcasting Standards Authority in New Zealand has fined NZME $8,000 for a violation of broadcasting codes on Radio Hauraki.

In April this year New Zealand cricketer Ben Stokes mother, Deborah Stokes, phoned the Hauraki competition line during the Matt & Jeremy Breakfast show.

Stokes called to complain about what she felt were unfair comments regarding her sons performance in the World Cup Twenty20 final, where he was hit for four consecutive sixes, with New Zealand subsequently losing the match.

Stokes called through live to air during a competition and asked if she was on the air, host Matt Heath said that she was off air, and the subsequent conversation was broadcast on Hauraki nationally without Stokes being aware of this.

You can hear the audio of the call here.

NZME upheld Stokes complaint and offered her compensation of $6,000, which was rejected, and she filed a complaint with the BSA. The BSA has now fined Hauraki $8,000.