Racist TV host fined over remarks about Sheila Dikshit

Melbourne, Jun 14: A controversial New Zealand Broadcaster has been slapped with a fine of 2444 dollars for airing a racist joke on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit last October during a TV show.

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) also criticised former Breakfast host Paul Henry who while hosting a TV show used derogatory remarks against the Delhi Chief Minister in the course of a discussion on the Commonwealth Games, poking fun at her name.

In its decision taken at a meeting here, the BSA labeled the exchange, a breach of standards of decency and fairness as well as being discriminatory. It ordered TVNZ to pay 2444 New Zealand dollar fine.

The BSA said Henry's statements were offensive to both Dikshit and to all Indian people.

"We consider that Henry's repeated ridicule of Dikshit's name amounted to a sustained and deliberate attack against the Chief Minister personally."

"His subsequent comment, which associated the words ''dick shit'' with people of Indian descent was not only derogatory but entirely dissonant with common decency and a clear breach of the discrimination and denigration standard," BSA decision said.

It was also noted that Henry's manner, which included sneering and uncontrollable laughter during the segment, worsened his offence.

PTI