Latest Decisions »
3 December 2009
Adair et al and TVWorks. Nightline. Satirical item on Maori TV’s bid for coverage of the Rugby World Cup. Not upheld.
Broughton and Rikys and TVNZ. Breakfast. Interview about process of choosing Maori flag to fly on Waitangi Day. Not upheld.
Tashkoff and TVNZ. Illegal New Zealand. Hidden camera footage of complainant at gun show. Upheld (fairness).
Bolton and RNZ. Sunday with Chris Laidlaw. Sociologist alleged complainant was an active Holocaust denier. Majority. Upheld (accuracy).
van Helmond and TVWorks. 3 News. Revealed author of threat against Sue Bradford and included door-stepping footage. Not upheld.
Lord and SKY. Amazon with Bruce Parry. Presenter said “fuck” at 8.05pm. Upheld (good taste and decency and children’s interests).
James and TVWorks. 3 News. Footage from Boobs on Bikes parade. Not upheld.
Howe and Torry and TVWorks. 3 News. Teaser for item on Boobs on Bikes parade. Majority. Not upheld.
Dibble and Wardle and TVNZ. 60 Minutes and 3 News. Items showed family photograph. Not upheld.
Towl and Radioworks. Solid Gold FM. Announcer joked that Chris Carter was the most powerful lesbian on the planet. Not upheld.
Clancy and TVWorks. Sunrise. Interview with climate change activist. Not upheld.
Sharp and TVWorks. 3 News at Midday. Report on English matador. Not upheld.
For more information, please see full decisions or contact Dominic Sheehan on dominics@bsa.govt.nz or 04 382 9508.
Recent publications »
Private Matters: A Review of the Privacy Decisions of the BSA
The BSA has released a new paper designed to prompt a discussion of privacy. Private Matters: A Review of the Privacy Decisions of the BSA has been authored by Dr Nicole Moreham, a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University in Wellington. Dr Moreham has a special interest in media law and in particular, privacy. The paper is an assessment of a range of privacy-related decisions made by the BSA and examines the key issues to emerge from these decisions.
Annual Report 2009
November 2009
Statement of Intent 2009-2010
July 2009
Quarterly Newsletter
June 2009, no. 42
This edition of the BSA Quarterly features articles about two new publications - a journalist's review of BSA decisions and a thinkpiece on the relationship between Maori worldview and broadcasting standards... a farewell to departing BSA member Diane Musgrave and hello to incoming member Mary-Anne Shanahan... details about a new, online BSA newsletter.
Download newsletter pdf (861KB)
Download decision summary pdf (42KB)
Principles and Pragmatism
Today the Broadcasting Standards Authority released a new report entitled Principles and Pragmatism.
Authored by Colin Peacock, host of Radio New Zealand's Mediawatch programme, the report is an assessment of BSA decisions from a journalist's perspective.
The report addresses the following questions:
- Where is the tension between the 'bottom-line standards' for the Authority and the 'bottom-line standards' for journalists?
- What is the Authority getting right from journalists' perspective - and what is it getting wrong?
Download Journalist's Assessment of BSA Decisions - Full (967kb PDF)
Download Journalist's Assessment of BSA Decisions - Exec Summary (832kb PDF)
Please note: these documents are designed to be printed doubled sided.
A limited number of printed copies of the report are available. Please contact Trish: trishc@bsa.govt.nz
Maori Worldviews and Broadcasting Standards: What Should be the Relationship?
The BSA has released new paper entitled Maori Worldviews and Broadcasting Standards: What Should be the Relationship? in order to provide a platform for discussion of the relationship between broadcasting standards and Maori worldviews and interests.
This paper follows up some questions raised by the BSA's 2005 publication The Portrayal of Maori and Te Ao Maori in Broadcasting: the foreshore and seabed issue, including
whether the standards as currently framed adequately reflect Maori realities, concerns and interests.
By setting out the present context for the BSA's work and outlining the decisions the BSA has made on issues of particular concern to Maori, the BSA hopes to provide a ready resource for everyone who is interested in that discussion.
Quarterly Newsletter
December 2008, no. 40
This edition of BSA Quarterly features an article about new research on viewing violence; an overview of the Election Programme Complaints process and information about our new bus advertising campaign.
Download newsletter pdf (1.52MB) Download decision summary pdf (51KB)
Viewing Violence: Audience Perceptions of Violent Content in Audio Visual Entertainment.
November 2008
The Office of Film and Literature Classification and the Broadcasting Standards Authority have jointly issued a research report, Viewing Violence: Audience Perceptions of Violent Content in Audio Visual Entertainment.
The research adds to knowledge gained over the years updating our agencies with New Zealanders' thoughts and feelings about violent content in audio-visual entertainment on TV, in films and DVDs, and on internet and mobile platforms.
Read the Report
Statement of Intent 2008-2011
July 2008
Quarterly Newsletter
September 2008, no. 39
This edition of BSA Quarterly features an article about The Election Programmes
Code; information about the revised Radio Programmes Code; and an article about
the inclusion of an expanded Bill of Rights explanation in BSA decisions, as
well as summarizing the 46 decisions released in the second quarter of 2008.
Download newsletter pdf (235KB) Download decision summary pdf (55KB)
New BSA research "Seen and Heard: Children’s Media Use, Exposure, and Response"
The BSA has released a major new study of New Zealand children’s media use. The large quantitative survey was carried out by Colmar Brunton. It involved interviewing more than 600 children aged between six and 13 and their primary caregivers. The focus of the research was how children use and respond to media, including television, radio, the internet, and cell phones.
Read press release. Go to the report.
New Practice Notes - violence and liquor promotion standards
Practice Notes are designed to help complainants and broadcasters understand the approach the BSA is likely to take in considering issues about standards. The latest practice notes discuss the liquor promotion and violence standards. Read more.