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Don't scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority - Strengthen it!

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:

• 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.

USA - here we come

Removing protections on what our media can say will mean Aotearoa New Zealand will follow the United States’ example where irresponsible media loudmouths can spout outrageous lies and misinformation that drives engagement ($$$). But it destroys democracy and reasonable, rational commentary that our democracy needs to pass reasonable, rational laws.

Responsible, trustworthy media is the backbone of a functioning democracy.

Change is needed - just not this

Everyone agrees that the regulatory frameworks for New Zealand’s media need to be updated. We have a 'patchwork quilt' of regulation which is full of digital holes. But removing enforceable standards is politically irresponsible and will only create more problems.

Strengthen the BSA by updating it for the 21^st century

In 2023 the Department of Internal Affairs conducted an incredibly thorough research project and consultation with industry and stakeholders called ‘Safer Online Services’ (SOS). 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. All the recommendations are still relevant and ready to be implemented. Better Public Media says implement the SOS recommendations.

Please take action now

 

Scrapping the BSA comes amid unprecedented government attacks on our media

On 7 May 2026, the Deputy Prime Minister, David Seymour implied he would seek to remove John Campbell from RNZ's 'Morning Report' through political appointments to the RNZ board. It’s an appalling breach of section 28 of the Television New Zealand Act which prohibits Ministers from seeking to "give a direction to TVNZ... in respect of any programme". BPM Trustee, Peter Thompson responded in this Newsroom article - Hold my beer... Seymour takes a wild swing at public media

That followed a sequence of attacks on TVNZ and its political editor Maiki Sherman.

In March, government ministers Mark Mitchell and Paul Goldsmith both released videos criticising TVNZ's previous editorial decisions. It’s another likely breach of section 28.

Then on 30 April, another government minister, Simeon Brown accused Ms Sherman of "aggressively" pursuing the government's chief whip, Stuart Smith who had scurried into an office to avoid reporters after a no-confidence vote on PM Christopher Luxon. The allegations were disputed by Sherman but Parliament's Speaker, Gerry Brownlee suspended her from Parliament for five days.

Then political commentator Ani O'Brien revealed that a year earlier Sherman made a homophobic comment during an argument at press gallery drinks. Maiki Sherman explained that she was responding to "deeply personal and inappropriate remarks made to her". She then resigned.

It all suggests that attacking the media is an early election strategy for the government coalition parties.

Attacking the media is a common strategy of ‘populist’ politicians around the world seeking not only to avoid the glare of media but also to find a scapegoat that will distract and unite their supporters. Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Nigel Farage in the UK and Donald Trump in the US are just three recent examples. They wouldn't bother if it did not work.

But it also decreases trust in media. Ironically the government minister responsible for TVNZ, Paul Goldsmith in 2025 officially required TVNZ to strengthen public trust in TVNZ. Meanwhile he and his colleagues repeatedly attack TVNZ and encourage their supporters to trust it less.

 

Further perspectives you may not have stumbled across:

• E-Tangata - Who benefits if the BSA is scrapped?
• Newstalk ZB - Heather du Plessis-Allan: The BSA sealed its own fate
• Stuff - Racism, rudeness and nudity: What Kiwis took offence at, and complained to the BSA about
• Critic - Editorial: Stop Being Mean To The BSA