‘American Jihad’

Note: Please forward this mail to individuals and organizations in New Zealand immediately.

Dear all,

We have got this email from one of our community members. 

As you may be aware TV3 will broadcast a television programme that is offensive to Muslims and I would like to request the assistance of your goodselves and your networks.

Inspired by PANZ's action against "LOC", the "3MNZ" group has decided 

to take action as a test case and the attached complaint has been 

drafted and sent to TV3 in accordance with the complaints procedure under the Free-to-Air TV Code. 

It would be much appreciated if your organisations could send a similar complaint. FYI, the direct fax number for Brett Impey is 09 366 5999. 

Informal complaints can be made by telephone directly to TV3 at 0800 

888 4733, or by fax to the above number. These should be in the following form in a calm, rational manner- the caller SHOULD NOT lose their cool and stick to the facts of this basic message: 

'My name is [whatever]. I am emailing/calling to complain about the 

trailer for the episode of Law and Order to be broadcast at 9:30PM on 

Wednesday 18 February. I have seen the trailer once/several times and I find its portrayal of a Muslim character deeply offensive. It is 

inaccurate and makes me feel threatened and insecure because people it may cause people to react negatively to me as a New Zealand Muslim simply because of the trailer. 

I would like TV3 to cease and desist from broadcasting this trailer and cancel the broadcast of Law and Order episode ‘American Jihad창€™ scheduled for 9.30PM, Wednesday 18 February 2004. 

If they refer the caller to the complaints procedure, the caller should politely say "thank you" and end the call. The informal complaint will still be fed back to TV3 management.

Below is the sample and detailed letter about the programme.

 

Brett Impey

Chief Executive

CanWest New Zealand/TV3

Private Bag 92624

Symonds Street

Auckland

Fax: (09) 366 5949 (Sales)

Fax: (09) 308 9652 (News)

 

 

13 February 2004

 

FORMAL COMPLAINT

 

 

Dear Mr Impey,

 

 

I wish to make a complaint about the following programme:

 

Title or Name of Programme: Law and Order trailer

Date of broadcast: 11 February 2004

Time of broadcast: 10.30PM

TV Channel: TV3

 

 

1. The programme standards which I believe were breached are as follows: