A Wellington businessman has pulled advertising in disgust at CanWest's decision to screen a controversial South Park episode.
The cartoon, which depicts a statue of the Virgin Mary menstruating, will be shown on C4 on Wednesday despite opposition from various religious groups.
Patrick Quin, who owns Max Recruitment, has cancelled a contract with CanWest in protest at the screening. He says the broadcaster is gutless and pathetic.
Quin says he is offended on a whole range of levels - as a Catholic as well as a husband and father. He is not sure if it will hurt his business but says CanWest can have their freedom of speech and he will have the freedom to choose where he spends his money.
Quin says the head of CanWest, Brent Impey, phoned him on Tuesday and during the conversation said a small number of advertisers were reviewing their arrangements with TV3 and C4.
But Admedia media magazine editor David Gapes believes the impact on other advertisers will be negligible, despite a call by the Catholic Church to boycott TV3 and C4. He says the whole issue is a storm in a tea cup.
The Virgin Mary episode was originally to screen in May but Chief Operating Officer in New Zealand, Rick Friesen, says the company has brought forward the episode to end the controversy.
CanWest says if you think you're likely to be offended by the episode, then don't watch it.
The Catholic Church says the move shows CanWest is ignoring a groundswell of public opinion and will only fuel debate.
The church says the fact a broadcaster can move so quickly with impunity shows there is a serious flaw in the broadcasting code.
The Catholic group Family Life International says at least 800 people have registered on a website set up to oppose the episode.
Spokesperson Brendan Malone says CanWest's move is a bullying tactic to try to shut down debate and the group will keep listing the network's advertisers on its website. He says people should be able to complain to the Broadcasting Standards Authority before programmes go to air so the authority can stop them being screened.
Meanwhile, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres is questioning how broadcasting standards deal with religion amid controversy over cartoons of religious icons.
Recent publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed have sparked protests across the Muslim world.
De Bres says that and the South Park issue raises the question of whether broadcasting standards regarding religion are strong enough. He says the Broadcasting Standards Authority should use its powers to advise broadcasters on ethical issues, rather than just dealing with complaints.
CanWest is confidant the episode of South Park will withstand any complaints laid with the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Friesen says the chances of a complaint being upheld are slight if the experience with another cartoon series, Popetown, is anything to go by.
