A recent survey conducted by Colmar Brunton Research for the Broadcasting Standards Authority interviewed a random sample of 1,000 people on offensive language and the portrayal of sex and nudity on New Zealand radio and television. The rankings of offensive words have not markedly changed from a 1993 study commissioned by the Authority. The portrayal of homosexuality encounters some reservations. Programmes depicting sexual activity between same-sex couples sees half of the respondents objecting where they had been more permissive of similar content involving a heterosexual couple. The age breakdowns for attitudes towards both language and the portrayal of sex and nudity show increasing levels of unacceptability as people get older.
Gender seems to have an effect as well.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority commissioned Colmar Brunton Research to conduct a survey on community attitudes towards broadcasting standards. Respondents were asked a range of questions, covering such issues as violence, privacy and fairness, the portrayal of sex and nudity, and offensive language. The survey was administered during March and April 1999, and involved a random sample of 1,000 people. This report releases the findings of community attitudes towards language and the portrayal of sex and nudity. The previous research in which the Authority surveyed attitudes towards good taste and decency was conducted in 1993.