New Zealand envoy apologises for anchor’s racial slur on Sheila

NDTV

New Delhi, 07 October 2010: New Zealand High Commissioner, who was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday, has apologised for TV show host’s racial slur on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The envoy said that he will personally apologise to Sheila Dikshit. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has described as "totally unacceptable" the remarks made by a TV talk show host in New Zealand against the Delhi Chief Minister.

 

Earlier this week, TV anchor Paul Henry made offensive remarks on air about how Dikshit’s name should be pronounced. He also made derogatory remarks about Indians. Before that, Henry had attacked New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, who is of Indian origin. Henry has reportedly been suspended by his TV station.

 

 

In a statement to NDTV, TVNZ said on Wednesday that the video of Henry attacking Dikshit "has been removed from our website. The incident has been the subject of a small number of formal complaints, which means TVNZ’s complaints committee must consider whether there has been a breach of the standards set out by the Broadcasting Standards Authority. This is a government body operating under the Broadcasting Act."