TV3 news was laughable tonight if it wasn’t so tragic.

The lead story was the tragic case of Karla Cardno’s biological father being accused of sex offenses, dating from two years after the death of his daughter.

Gary Duffin sought name suppression for himself and his wife saying that the fact he was Karla Cardno’s father would bring undue publicity to his case. The judge turned his application down.

Where did the item play on TV3 news? It was the lead story. Looks like Gary was right.

The third story in a crime ridden bulletin concerned the death of a one year old baby in Rotorua. At the time of publication an occupant in the house had been charged with assault but the results of the autopsy were inconclusive.

But that didn’t stop an overly zealous cameraman and reporter beefing their story up with suggestive imagery.

They identify the house even though they blur the number on the letterbox. For your information is in Edmund Road, near a corner. It’s a 1950’s bungalow built of sandy coloured brick.

Edmund Street, Rotorua
Edmund Street, Rotorua

Then it’s inferred by the camera work that the people inside drink and discard their bottles in the gutter. (That’s the house in the background).

There is no such thing as privacy when it gets in the way of a good story.