Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
On 22 July 2025, RNZ published an article on its website headed 'Gaza is not a religious issue': Advocates split on government harmony accord. Mr Muhammad Zaky complained that the
article breached Principles (1) on Accuracy, Fairness and Balance and Principle (12) Corrections, largely because it did not show the wide-range and depth of opposition to the Accord.
However, the Media Council found that an opposing statement made by the Islamic Council of NZ did reflect some of the concerns of the Muslim community and there was a clear expression of the
dissent to the Accord in the heading and the article.
The full Media Council ruling can be found here: Media Council - Muhammad Zaky against Radio New Zealand
In the second case, RNZ published an article titled 'Act of Racism': Education Ministry cans children's schoolbook for too many Māori words on 8 August. The Ministry of Education lodged a number of grounds for its complaint, including that comments made by the Māori Principals' Association president accused the Ministry of racism and it was not allowed to respond to this before the story was initially published.
The Council found that: This situation was unique in that comment on the policy behind the decision to not re-print had been sought from the Ministry and provided by it the day before, and because of the RNZ notification within an hour to the Ministry (of the MPA's comments) and the Ministry's reply stating that it stood by its response of the previous day.
Accordingly the complaint was not upheld.
The full Media Council ruling can be found here: Media Council - The Ministry of Education against Radio New Zealand
