RNZ news bulletins on 19 and 20 April 2022 suggested the Government delayed ending the MIQ or the managed isolation and quarantine system despite public health advice it should be wound up immediately.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority has found those reports were inaccurate and upheld a complaint against RNZ.
The Authority found the items were misleading by omission as they gave a strong impression the advice stated MIQ should be wound up immediately, rather than through a 'carefully managed transition' to safely shift to a new system, and the Government had acted contrary to that advice.
The Authority ordered the broadcast of this statement to notify the breach and correct the public record, given the high public interest in the matter at the time. The BSA did not uphold the complaint under the balance standard.
As the standard allows balance to be achieved over time, the Authority found RNZ's later coverage adequately conveyed the Government's perspective.
