Announcer John Campbell’s use of the word ‘penis’ does not denigrate, authority rules

A man with the last name ‘Dick’ who complained that television host John Campbell’s use of the term was “degrading” to vulnerable children has had his complaint dismissed.

Alan Dick complained to the Broadcasting Standards Authority after a segment on TVNZ Breakfast in August 2020, which referred to a speech by Donald Trump Jr, son of then-US President Donald Trump.

Campbell used the word ‘penis’ three times in reference to Trump Jr, who had used his speech to praise his father’s efforts in fighting Covid-19.

“He’s a bit of a jerk … When I say ‘a little bit of a jerk,’ he’s a total jerk,” Campbell said.

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The segment aired on a Wednesday, shortly after 6 a.m.

Alan Dick complained that the broadcast violated standards of good taste and decency, children’s interests, and discrimination and denigration, according to a March decision by the authority.

He said the repeated use of the word ‘penis’ as an insult subjected people with the last name to ridicule, including vulnerable children.

The broadcast was offensive because “[likened] a person to a sexual organ, ”he wrote.

“I have no problem with Campbell referring to people as idiots, but I strongly object to members of the Dick clan being labeled as idiots or as penises.

“The surname Dick is of Scottish origin and it is not uncommon. I am aware of [three] vulnerable teens who have changed their last names due to peer pressure and ridicule. “

In response to the complaint, TVNZ said Breakfast It is intended for adult viewers and young children are unlikely to see it for themselves.

Presenters commonly speak “frankly and humorously,” and Campbell is known for his irreverent comments, he said.

‘Dick’ is a common slang term and is “at the lower end of the offensive language spectrum,” TVNZ said.

In a 2018 study conducted by the authority, ‘dick’ was ranked 26th out of 31 terms considered offensive by Kiwis.

In his decision, the authority’s chairman, Judge Bill Hastings, said the broadcast did not mention people with the last name ‘Dick’ or encourage ridicule from those people.

Most members of the audience would have taken the word in the sense in which it is commonly understood, and interpreted it as a reference to Trump Jr as an idiot, according to the decision.

“Mr. Campbell’s comments focused squarely on the actions of a high-profile public figure. He was not commenting on Dick as a last name, or ridiculing or encouraging ridiculing people with that last name. “

The use of the term was also not discriminatory under the law, as people with the last name ‘Dick’ are not recognized as a section of the community under the Human Rights Act, Judge Hastings said.

The segment was found not to have violated any broadcast standards.