The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is the only real protection New Zealand has against lies, abuse or misinformation in broadcasting. Since 1989, it has done an excellent job supporting our television and radio broadcasters to be responsible by providing an avenue for complaints from the public. The BSA upholds standards which all broadcasters must meet. These cover offensive and disturbing content, the interests of children, promotion of illegal or antisocial behaviour, discrimination and denigration, balance, accuracy, privacy, and fairness.
Scrapping the BSA will cause untold harm to our media, democracy and society. Trust in media will decline further and our democracy will suffer as our fourth estate is eroded even more.
Responsible, trustworthy media is the backbone of a functioning democracy. It is crucial at all times and especially in an election year.
Change is needed – just not this
Everyone would agree that the regulatory frameworks for New Zealand’s media system need to be updated. We have a ‘patchwork quilt’ of regulation which is full of digital holes. But supposedly leveling the playing field by removing enforceable standards is politically irresponsible.
In 2023 the Department of Internal Affairs conducted an incredibly thorough research project and consultation with industry and stakeholders called “Safer Online Services”. That recommended a system similar to Australia and the UK with elements of industry self-regulation backed up by a strong statutory authority, much like the BSA. In 2024, it was ready to go but then Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke Van Velden decided to scrap it. Now, the Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith proposes a weaker system that removes the statutory backstop and replaces the BSA with media self-regulation. Goldsmith’s plan would have no ‘teeth’ and as a result standards will slide.
USA – here we come
Better Public Media Trust is deeply concerned by the proposals. Removing protections on what our media can say will mean that Aotearoa New Zealand will follow the United States’ example where irresponsible media loudmouths like Alan Jones are allowed to make all sorts of outrageous claims that drive engagement but destroy democracy and reasonable, rational commentary. Goldsmith’s plan will have the same effect here, encouraging extremist content across radio, television and online. The public and the government will be powerless to stop it.
Please take action now
Better Public Media Trust asks all New Zealanders to stand up against this proposal. Please write to your MP, write to your newspaper, sign the online petition and talk about it with your family and friends. It is vital to the future of our nation that this proposal never becomes law.
Sign the petition against scrapping the BSA here.
