LAURA McCLURE: Government scraps the BSA

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When the BSA tried to stretch outdated broadcasting laws to podcasts, livestreams, and online content, ACT pushed back.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