BSA dismisses complaint about Morning Report interview

11:37 am on 2 October 2025
090514. Photo Diego Opatowski / RNZ. Radio New Zealand House.

Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has dismissed a complaint about a 16 June broadcast of Morning Report, which featured an interview with Dr Samira Ghoreishi.

The Authority did not uphold the complaint, lodged by Dr Morteza Sharifi, under the balance and accuracy standards about an interview with 'n Iranian woman, living in New Zealand … shocked by the scale of attacks from Israel on Iran'.

Dr Sharifi alleged that the broadcast 'presented a one-sided narrative critical of Israel', and omitted significant viewpoints - namely, those of 'pro-Israel Iranians' - and vital context. The complainant also alleged the broadcast contained material inaccuracies, by indicating Israel targeted residential buildings and misled listeners regarding the Iranian regime and Israel's intentions.

The Authority found the broadcast was not claiming nor intending to be a balanced examination of perspectives on the conflict. It said the audience could also reasonably be expected to be aware of significant context and viewpoints from other media coverage.

Regarding accuracy, the interviewee's comments about the targeting of buildings were analysis, comment or opinion to which the standard does not apply, and it was not misleading to omit further details regarding Iran or Israel.

The full decision can be read here: Sharifi and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2025-036 (1 October 2025)