LAURA McCLURE: Government scraps the BSA
- Administrator
- May 6
- 1 min read
I'm pleased to share some very good news.
The Government confirmed today that it will disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
This is a massive win for free speech in New Zealand.
When the BSA tried to stretch outdated broadcasting laws to podcasts, livestreams, and online content, ACT pushed back. In fact, we led a campaign to abolish the Authority entirely.
The Broadcasting Minister's decision shows that the pressure has been effective.
I lodged a Member’s Bill to abolish the BSA because New Zealanders do not need bureaucrats deciding what they should be allowed to hear, watch, or say online. Kiwis are more than capable of making those decisions for themselves.
This decision sends a clear message: New Zealanders will not sit quietly while unelected officials try to expand their power over free speech.
This is exactly what ACT brings to Government — identifying rules that no longer make sense, calling them out, and getting rid of them before they chip away at our freedoms.
And of course, one fewer bureaucracy means we're saving taxpayer money.
Laura McClure is an ACT list MP
Not being subject to broadcasting standards/without BSA, a media outlet can: – Wax Falsely about benefits of product’s ability to cure cancer – Put someone on air without telling them they’re on air – Call for any group of people they don’t like to be executed – Set up screen crawl displaying viewers’ texts, then not monitor those texts for awful comments – Criticise someone, interview them & edit out important parts of their response – Broadcast dispute between couple about whether guy is father of their 6 years-old daughter, then live reveal paternity test results in presence of daughter
These are based on Real cases – broadcasters have done them & been held accountable through broadcasting standards/BSA. In most of these situations, those harmed couldn’t…
Here is someone who disagrees https://theplatform.kiwi/podcasts/episode/myles-thomas-loses-his-rag-at-the-bsa-decision-the-platform with a vengance.
My sincere apologies to the site moderator for even mentioning BSA motorcycles.
It was a throwaway that has been picked up by too many.
No Gold Stars for me (somebody will get that)
Ameni
WARNING: Social Media (Age-Restricted Users) Bill.
It’s out there and in plain sight. Luxon has made it very well known that he wants this passed into legislation before the election (can someone please save this man). I wouldn’t go celebrating the overdue demise of the BSA.
Many of us who write to Ministers and or sign Petitions do so knowing there is only a faint chance any notice will be taken of our concerns However when you get across the board combined lobbying actions, as we have seen with ACT , FreeSpeech Union and the Platform,
then good outcomes can be achieved. Thanks to these three for this wonderful result and here’s hoping there will be more dismantling to come!