Complaint over articles on school partly upheld
The Media Council has part-upheld a complaint about the New Zealand Herald’s reporting on April 25 and April 26 concerning Whenuapai School. It expressed concern that the articles did not make it clear that no adults were involved in the so-called “sexual behaviour”.
The first article, “School in turmoil: claims of ‘sexual behaviour’ referred to police”, outlined a number of issues at Whenuapai School including claims of “sexual behaviour”, a bullying culture within the school, staff turnover as well as the resignation of four Whenuapai School board of trustees representatives and a decline in the school roll.
The second article “Sexual behaviour’ claims: Ministry of education asked to intervene at Whenuapai School” mentioned a request to the Ministry of Education for support by a limited statutory manager as well as a letter sent out to parents from the Board of Trustees.
The complainant expressed concern that the articles were biased and intentionally misleading; that they expressed only the views of those who were critical of the school; that the reference to “sexual behaviour” put the staff under suspicion and children under stress, when it was on record that the incidents referred to did not involve adults; and that the headlines were click-bait.
The duty editor advised that the school had been approached several times for comment and that other comments critical of the school had not been published. The term “sexual behaviour” was not used for shock value, but was the term used by the Ministry of Education, which had appointed a statutory manager to take over the running of the school.
The articles did not rely on hearsay. The main points were based on interventions by the Ministry of Education, the police and Oranga Tamariki. The articles also quoted the concerns of some parents who wished to remain anonymous.
The editor noted the article had said “Both incidents are thought to have involved children” but he acknowledged that a reference to adults not being involved in the incidents, which had been removed in subbing, would have made the situation clearer. The Media Council upheld the complaint under Principle 1: Accuracy, Fairness and Balance, noting that the articles did not clearly state that adults were not involved in the “sexual behaviour”. Also, while noting the Herald had offered the principal and board repeated opportunities to respond to no avail, balance and a fair voice could have been achieved by including the views of those who were supportive of the school.
The Council did not uphold the other aspects of the complaint relating to Children and Young People, headlines, comment and fact and subterfuge.
The full ruling can be found at www.mediacouncil.org.nz.