The Society is pleased to learn that following its complaint earlier today, Censorship Compliance has now submitted the Nathan King video clip, which compliance officers have now watched, to the Chief Censor’s Office for classification. If is is classified “objectionable” under the Films, Videos and Publications Act 1993, the distributor of this publication can be prosecuted and fined under the Act.
Society refers Nathan King’s Video to Censorship Compliance
The Society is joining with a number of anti-violence groups that are calling for a New Zealand taxpayer-funded music video, featuring the son of comedian Mike King, to be banned. The slasher-style clip has been described as “violent, misogynist pornography”. The Society has made a formal complaint to the Censorship Compliance Office of the Department of Internal Affairs and the Office of Film and Literature Classification over the video clip and has requested an investigation to see whether or not this objectionable publication falls within their respective jurisdictions.
Charges laid in 2009 with respect to offences under Companies Act 1993
In the 12 months ending December 2009, 143 charges were laid by the National Enforcement Unit against 24 defendants for offences they committed against the Companies Act 1993. Given that there are over 520,000 companies registered in New Zealand this number of offences would appear to be miniscule. However, the Society believes that these figures bear little relationship to the actual level of offending that is taking place, which we believe is very much higher. It finds it very odd that no one has ever been prosecuted under section 377 of the Companies Act which relates to the supplying of false information to the Companies Register. The Companies register is based upon good faith principles: that is the Registrar accepts all information provided at face value. The Society considers this approach flawed and It wants more checks and balances written into law to ensure full compliance with regard to the recording of basic information required,
Report On James Louis Mason v The Queen CA 481/2009
In Wellington before Court of Appeal Judges: Hon. Justice William Young (President), Hon. J. Grant Hammond and Hon. J. David Baragwanath. Tuesday 23 March 2010.
In the second case heard in Courtroom 2 before the Court of Appeal on Tuesday morning 23 March 2010, James Louis Mason, 51, Christchurch musician and father of six, defended himself against his 2009 conviction of assault against his 4-year-old son. His wife Ann was in attendance and assisted him. A Society representative who attended the court hearing spoke at some length with James and his wife before the case, during recess and after the case. The court hearing was filmed by TV3 and a number of the media were present.
Waihopai Vandalism and Burglary Acquittal Must be Appealed
The Society contends that Solicitor General, Dr David Collins, QC, should ensure that the Crown appeals the flawed decision of the jury that acquitted the three Waihopai spy base protestors on 17 March 2010 of charges of burglary and intentional damage (vandalism) to government property amounting to NZ $3.5 million. The men entered the base by cutting through the perimeter fence of the high-level security base in April 2008 and then slashed the dome over the satellite using sickles.
Protest song by Dr Jeff Simmonds PhD – inspired by attack or did it incite it?