The broadcaster received complaints after the word "motherf*cker" was used several times during the playing of a concert by punk-rock legend Patti Smith, on National's Matinee Idle programme yesterday afternoon, The New Zealand Herald reported. Host Phil O'Brien's apology immediately afterwards failed to mollify some particularly sensitive listeners, who phoned in immediately to complain.
Content was usually checked for strong language before it was broadcast, but "someone didn't do it this time and slipped up," Radio New Zealand communications manager John Barr said.
