SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.
[The Society asks: Are community standards dropping in New Zealand as evidenced by the growing levels of corruption, dishonesty and fraud? Are we becoming more tolerant towards the increasing levels of such crimes being committed by members of the public, including business and political leaders?].
According to the KPMG Fraud Barometer report released on 19 July 2010, the total amount defrauded was $72 million in the first six months to June 2010. [Read more…]
A number of criminal cases were presided over by Judge Roderick Joyce QC in the Auckland District Court this afternoon. In one case – Ministry of Economic Development v. John Malcolm Carr, barrister Todd Alastair Simmonds (see: http://www.toddsimmonds.co.nz/ ) appeared for his client, American businessman Mr John M Carr (see photo links below) who had been represented at three previous court fixtures by his solicitor Alan Bevan McKay of Checketts McKay Law, Cromwell. John M Carr pleaded guilty through his lawyer to all charges and was convicted on six charges for failing to submit financial statements relating to companies he directed.
John Malcolm Carr
Photo 1: http://www.carr.co.nz/images/jmc.jpg
Photo 2: http://www.bankler.com/AboutUs/JohnMCarr/tabid/130/Default.aspx
Photo 3: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmalcolmcarr
By David Fisher and Frances Morton. Herald on Sunday Sept. 19, 2010
Steve Crow says he will fight a government inquiry into a possible breach of a management ban following four collapsed businesses.
When Steve Crow embarked on building a homegrown porn empire he vowed he would never lock himself away in a dark room with a fake name. It is this willingness to put his “head above the parapet”, he claims, that has got him into trouble.
On April 16, after the collapse of four of his companies, Crow was banned from managing any business for four years. He was forced to resign his directorships and brought in brother David to run the companies. Crow continued to work in the office as a “consultant”.
Now, the Herald on Sunday has learned the Ministry of Economic Development is looking into whether he has breached the management ban. Anyone convicted for such a breach can face up to five years in jail and fines of up to $200,000.
Crow is fighting back. He’s considering seeking a judicial review and suing the ministry for discrimination. It is the culmination of a lifelong battle with the establishment.
For full story go to: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10674407 [Read more…]
TV sleaze backlash gathers steam
By John Drinnan Sep 17, 2010
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10674013
Pressure is building on television networks to reduce the amount of sleaze in early prime time. The Broadcasting Standards Authority is expected to announce a decision next week that will set the new tone. There is particular concern about sexual content on early-evening TV.
BSA chief executive Dominic Sheehan said he was aware of concerns and had spoken to two community groups. He will be suggesting that the BSA board commission more research into the issue of how sexuality is presented, including the effect on early prime time – up to the 8.30pm cut-off for adult viewing. He had met the groups – one of which is Family First [a highly respected registered charity]- and they had raised convincing arguments that the BSA needed to develop its research.
There had been issues about the portrayal of sex in the news and in promotions. Sheehan stressed that the BSA acted only on complaints. It cannot act proactively or make subjective decisions. The authority has been created that way to ensure the industry is self-regulating. But self-regulation has gone out the door as the networks chase ratings.
Sheehan would not discuss an upcoming decision that will have an impact on how the BSA treats complaints about good taste and decency.
Television researcher Ruth Zanker has raised alarm bells about the growing levels of sexual content in early prime time, warning that children were being sacrificed on the altar of higher ratings for TV networks. But if the number of complaints are any judge, New Zealanders are happy with sleazy 7pm shows such as Family Guy.
The show regularly features a paedophile character and themes of incest and bestiality. AGB Nielsen surveys suggest an average 25,000 children aged 7 to 14 watch the show at 7pm each weeknight.
Sheehan said the context of shows – like the different approach of cartoons and of an edgy channel like C4 – was taken into account by the BSA.
TV2’s early prime time show Two and a Half Men regularly had a sexual theme. Another sign of the times in 2010 telly? A programme this week has included a promo for a show where a character is sexually attracted to pregnant women.
From the Archives: Concerns raised with BSA by SPCS re TV3 depiction of gratuitous violence. See: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0404/S00048.htm
Six properties, 22 high-end vehicles, eight boats and a vintage steam engine are among items convicted fraudster Michael Swann has been ordered to forfeit. He is serving a 9.5 year prison sentence for his part in a $16.9 million swindle of Otago District Health Board, while he was its information technology manager.
