BSA Bulletin - June 2017

Number 73

Message from the Chief Executive

Kia ora
 
As we reach the end of our financial year, I have been reflecting on what has been an exciting and industrious 12 months at the BSA.
 
One of the highlights of this time of year is the publication of our various research projects, which are detailed below. This year, our research has included public litmus testing and an external review of recent programme information and classification decisions, our two-yearly public awareness survey and our annual broadcaster survey. Our complainants survey and an independent project regarding use of social media content in broadcasting and the privacy standard will be published in the coming weeks – please keep an eye out for the release of this research on the Publications page of our website.
 
These pieces of research have provided us with useful feedback on the work of the BSA, including the complaints process, from both members of the public and broadcasters and we thank those who took the time to complete these surveys. We will use this information to guide us in our work and our areas of focus for the next 12 months. We hope that you will find these reports valuable and informative as well.

Ngā mihi
Belinda

Latest Decisions
Complaints about Radio Broadcasts 
Right to Life New Zealand and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2017-020open_in_new

An item on RNZ News reported on the Voluntary Euthanasia Society NZ’s (VES) calls for government action following a recently published study that indicated strong public support for some form of lawful assisted dying. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that this item inaccurately reported the findings of the study, and lacked balance. This was a short news report which accurately conveyed the key findings of the study to the listener. In the context of the item, it was not practical or necessary to convey the detailed nuances of the study’s findings. While the item touched on the broader issue of euthanasia, it simply reported on the findings of the study and did not amount to a discussion of the wider issue which triggered the requirements of the balance standard.

Not Upheld: Accuracy, Balance
Parlane and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2017-023open_in_new

An item on Checkpoint discussed the return of a child after she went missing off the coast of New Zealand with her father. Extensive media coverage reported that the pair had sailed to Australia on a catamaran and that the family was involved in a custody dispute, with proceedings pending under the Care of Children Act 2004. The item aired after the child had been located and featured an interview with the child’s mother, who discussed her fears for her daughter’s safety, and their reunion. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that this item breached the child’s privacy and treated her unfairly. The information discussed during the interview was in the public domain at the time of broadcast, and the topic was treated sensitively and respectfully by the interviewer. There was also an element of public interest in the child’s welfare and her being found safe. A number of other broadcasting standards raised by the complainant were not applicable or not breached in the context of the broadcast.

Not Upheld: Privacy, Fairness, Balance, Good Taste and Decency, Programme Information, Children’s Interests, Violence, Law and Order, Discrimination and Denigration, Accuracy

BSA Research
Litmus Testing

This research tested public attitudes to five BSA decisions on the Programme Information and Children's Interests standards, specifically relating to classifications and timebands on television.

The decisions tested were:
This research found that the majority of participants agreed with the BSA's decisions for all five programmes, and an average of 87% participants rated the BSA's decisions as very good, good or acceptable. Some participants considered the standards themselves were too lenient, even if they agreed the standards were correctly applied.

You can read a summary of this research and the full report hereopen_in_new.
External Review of Decisions

The BSA obtained an external independent review of the same five BSA decisions which were the focus of the Litmus Testing research, relating to the Programme Information and Children's Interests standards.

The external review was conducted by Linda Clark, Special Counsel at Kensington Swan, and former journalist and broadcaster.

Ms Clark concluded that the BSA's decisions are generally legally robust, well-reasoned, readable and clear. The review proposed a series of modifications to BSA decisions including a more detailed discussion of the right to freedom of expression, and greater reference to the Authority's past decisions. The Authority will take into account these recommendations in its future work.

You can read a summary of the review and the full report hereopen_in_new.
Public Awareness Survey

Every two years the BSA commissions a survey to measure the percentage of New Zealanders who are aware of the BSA, and aware they can make a formal complaint about an alleged breach of broadcasting standards. This year the BSA also included questions to gauge the level of awareness of filtering technology/parental lock capability on pay television, free-to-air television and other platforms.

The survey found that there is a high level of awareness of both the BSA, and the ability to complain and how to go about making a complaint. 92% of New Zealanders are aware of the BSA, 95% of New Zealanders are aware they can take a course of action to find out how to make a formal complaint, and 83% are aware they can make a formal complaint.

Overall awareness of the availability of filtering technology on the listed platforms was low. Respondents had the highest level of awareness of filtering technology on pay television (65%), and awareness of filtering technology on free-to-air television was the lowest (84% of respondents were not aware).

You can read a summary of the survey results and the full report hereopen_in_new.
Broadcaster Survey

Every year the BSA undertakes research to gain an understanding of broadcasters' satisfaction with the quality of the BSA's processes and services.

The research indicates that from the broadcasters' perspective, the current system is working well and overall broadcasters view BSA processes and their relationship with the BSA positively.

While broadcasters are generally satisfied with BSA processes and services, respondents identified the following areas for improvement, which the BSA will focus on in the coming months:
  • Timeliness and flexibility in timeframes given to broadcasters for providing information on complaints referred to the BSA.
  • Increased communication around when the Authority's decision can be expected to be issued.
  • Improving the search function on the BSA website. 
You can read a summary of the survey results and view the Executive Summary hereopen_in_new.

BSA News
Staff vacancy at the BSA
We are currently looking for a Legal Advisor to join the BSA team. For more information, please see hereopen_in_new.

Broadcasting Levy Return 
The BSA recently wrote to broadcasters regarding the 2017 Levy Return process. All broadcasters are required to complete and return to us the Levy Return Form, along with supporting information, by 31 July 2017 or 31 October 2017 depending on when the broadcaster's financial year ends.

If you did not receive a letter and believe you should have, or you have any questions about the levies process, please email levies@bsa.govt.nz. The Levy Return Form and other information can also be found on our website under the Broadcasteropen_in_new tab.

Media News

Each month we collect items from the media in New Zealand and overseas that are relevant to the broadcasting sector. A selection is below: 

New Zealand 

Bold new media initiative for children announcedopen_in_new

TVNZ will livestream services open_in_new

New Zealand picks up three international radio awardsopen_in_new

Fake news and the 2017 General Electionopen_in_new

2017 Radio Awards winners announced open_in_new

International

Ireland's trust in news higher than international averageopen_in_new

Ofcom publishes research on BBC distinctivenessopen_in_new
Did you know... ? 

92% of New Zealanders are aware of the BSA, an 11% increase compared with 2014 awareness levels.
 

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