New Zealand Government to Disestablish Broadcasting Standards Authority
New Zealand's Media and Communications Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has announced the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), a crown entity established in 1989 to uphold broadcast media standards. The decision follows significant controversy after the BSA asserted jurisdiction over 'The Platform,' an online-only broadcaster run by Sean Plunket, sparking debate about the applicability of the 1989 Broadcasting Act to digital media. The Act Party, which had previously introduced a bill to abolish the agency, welcomed the move as a necessary step to eliminate an outdated bureaucracy and reduce costs for media outlets. While the government aims to resolve inconsistencies in regulatory outcomes, critics warn that removing the BSA could lead to a 'commercial race to the bottom' and leave consumers without recourse for complaints. The Media Council, a self-regulatory body for print and online journalism that relies on public apologies rather than legal fines, is expected to become the primary regulator for journalism as broadcasters opt into its framework.
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New Zealand Government to Disestablish Broadcasting Standards Authority
New Zealand's Media and Communications Minister, Paul Goldsmith, has announced the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), a crown entity established in 1989 to uphold broadcast media standards. The decision follows significant controversy after the BSA asserted jurisdiction over 'The Platform,' an online-only broadcaster run by Sean Plunket, sparking debate about the applicability of the 1989 Broadcasting Act to digital media. The Act Party, which had previously introduced a bill to abolish the agency, welcomed the move as a necessary step to eliminate an outdated bureaucracy and reduce costs for media outlets. While the government aims to resolve inconsistencies in regulatory outcomes, critics warn that removing the BSA could lead to a 'commercial race to the bottom' and leave consumers without recourse for complaints. The Media Council, a self-regulatory body for print and online journalism that relies on public apologies rather than legal fines, is expected to become the primary regulator for journalism as broadcasters opt into its framework.
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