BSA Pānui - A timely reminder

Number 129
Kia ora koutou

It’s a pleasure to be sending out my first Pānui as the BSA’s new chief executive.

I’ve enjoyed getting to meet some of you already and look forward to meeting and working with many more of you as we tackle the opportunities and challenges ahead.

This weekend marks the beginning of daylight saving and, with a special one-off public holiday on Monday, it’s also a long weekend. As we ponder our plans for the break and prepare to put our clocks forward, it seems the perfect time for a reminder about timebands and classifications.

These are powerful tools audiences can use to make informed TV viewing choices.

Classifications (G, PG, M, 16, 18) signpost what age a programme is suitable for, based on the type of content.

These content types are spelled out via audience advisories (L – language may offend; S – sexual content may offend; V – contains violence; C – content may offend). The relevant classifications and advisories are shown in programme listings.

A timeband is the time of day programmes of a certain classification can be screened on free-to-air TV. Knowing what can play at what time can help you protect children from inappropriate content:
  • G and PG programmes can screen at any time.
  • M programmes can screen when school-aged kids are at school (from 9am to 3pm on weekdays, except during school and public holidays) and after 7.30pm until 5am.
  • Programmes classified 16 can screen after 8.30pm until 5am.
  • Programmes classified 18 can screen after 9.30pm until 5am.
The difference in timebands for M programmes, according to whether it’s a school or non-school day, reflects when tamariki might be watching. It’s worth noting this with Monday now a public holiday.

With the lighter evenings, it’s also worth remembering that evening screening times for M, 16 and 18 programmes remain the same – even if the kids’ sleeping habits don’t.

Because viewers of pay TV make a special choice to subscribe, pay TV doesn’t have timebands. Programmes can screen at any time, with the expectation that classifications and advisories are used and parental controls are promoted.

There's more on these tools, including a handy viewer guide in various languages, on the BSA websiteopen_in_new.

I wish you an enjoyable and relaxing long weekend as we start to look forward to another summer.

Ngā mihi mahana
Stacey Wood
Chief Executive
 

FEATURED DECISIONS

FREE-TO-AIR TV

Morrison & New Homes Direct Ltd and Television New Zealand Ltd - 2021-150 (31 August 2022) open_in_new

The Authority has upheld a complaint that an item on Fair Go that dealt with various issues arising from a house being built breached the accuracy and fairness standards. The Authority found the programme was inaccurate and misleading in its portrayal of the issues involved in building the house. It found the complainants were portrayed unfairly and their views were not fairly reflected in the programme. It also found there was no breach of the privacy standard, and the balance standard did not apply as the programme did not deal with a controversial issue of public importance.  

Upheld: Accuracy, Fairness

Not Upheld: Privacy, Balance

Orders: Section 13(1)(a) broadcast statement on air and online; Section 16(1) $2,000 legal costs and $98.70 disbursements, Section 16(4) $1,000 costs to the Crown

RADIO

Seven Complainants and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2021-090 (14 September 2022) open_in_new

The Authority upheld aspects of seven complaints under the privacy and fairness standards, regarding broadcasts by RNZ which included material stolen from the Waikato District Health Board and released by hackers on the dark web. The broadcasts were about a child under the care of Oranga Tamariki, who was effectively ‘living’ in a WDHB hospital because Oranga Tamariki was unable to find them a placement. The Authority found the child was identifiable and their privacy was breached on a segment on Morning Report. While there was a legitimate public interest in the story, this did not extend to all the details included in the item. The Authority also found the Morning Report segment breached the privacy of the child’s family but not of the social worker involved. The fairness standard was also breached as the broadcasts were unfair to the child and their family. The Authority did not uphold the complaints regarding law and order, as it found the broadcasts would not have the effect of inciting or encouraging illegal or seriously antisocial behaviour. 

Upheld: Privacy, Fairness

Not Upheld: Law and Order, Good Taste and Decency

Orders: Section 13(1)(a) broadcast statement; Section 16(4) $1,800 costs to the Crown

LATEST DECISIONS

NEWS AND RESEARCH

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