A radio station has escaped punishment after it played a 34-second clip of a woman having sex with a bull, despite a ruling it breached standards of decency and good taste.


The station's presenter played the clip – which was meant to promote the NPC rugby tournament – on a Sunday morning in October.


The Broadcasting Standards Authority today upheld a complaint from a member of the public that the clip was offensive, and played at time when children were likely to hear it.


However the authority opted not to impose any orders against the station, such as a fine or a public apology.

Follow up:

Radio Sport's parent company The Radio Network said while some people might find the soundtrack puerile, it was aimed at an audience of adult males who enjoyed "bar-room humour".


The sounds were intended to convey "the provincial, country cousin (Waikato), putting it up the city slicker (Wellington) in the NPC rugby final", The Radio Network said in its response.


The authority said even thought Radio Sport was targeting a niche audience, it was still expected to exercise discretion at times when children were likely to listen.


It said there was no doubt the clip was meant to represent sex between a woman and an animal.


"The authority considers that the connotation of bestiality would have been offensive and distasteful to a significant number of listeners, particularly because the soundtrack was prolonged and gratuitous."


However, the authority said it didn't intend to impose any penalties against the station, as the public release of its findings was sufficient.


Source: Stuff.co.nz