BSA Pānui - Getting election ready

Number 167
Kia ora koutou

The 2026 General Election is fast approaching and there are a few important matters to update you on.
 
Along with the Electoral Commission, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and New Zealand Media Council (NZMC), the BSA has a role in addressing complaints about election-related content. We support a fair and democratic election process by ensuring New Zealanders have access to a free, accessible and efficient complaints system.
 
This Pānui includes a reminder of our fast-track process for dealing with election-related complaints; notice of an upcoming briefing for media on election advertising rules; and a pointer to our resources, including a video guide to who covers what, designed to help complainants understand who they can turn to with different types of complaints.

Fast-tracked complaints

During the three months from 7 August until election day, 7 November, the BSA will work with complainants and broadcasters to prioritise addressing relevant election-related complaints via a fast-track process.
 
Fast tracking applies to complaints about election programmes, or other programmes involving election matters that may influence voting.
 
Usually, ‘election programmes’ will appear as short promotional/campaign clips for political parties or candidates, aired on TV or radio during the election period. This period runs from 4 October (writ day) to midnight on 6 November (the day before polling day). Complaints about election programmes can be made directly to the BSA during this one-month period without going to the broadcaster first, and will be considered under the Election Programmes Codeopen_in_new.

Complaints about other election-related broadcasts are considered under the regular Code of Broadcasting Standards and must be made to the broadcaster first (unless they are made under the privacy standard). These can be made at any time, and complaints received from 7 August until 7 November will be fast-tracked where possible.

The Authority will aim to issue fast-tracked decisions within three to five working days of receiving the complaint, but this timing may vary depending on the scope and complexity of the complaint. We’ll keep all parties posted as the matter progresses. We encourage broadcasters and other parties to familiarise themselves with the process and work with us towards resolving election-related complaints swiftly.

A detailed guide to the fast-track process can be seen hereopen_in_new.

No wrong door

The ASA, NZMC and Electoral Commission handle complaints about other types of election-related content. Along with these agencies, the BSA will take a ‘no wrong door’ approach to complaints it receives – directing viewers, listeners and readers to the right organisation regardless of who they originally complain to.

Resources

A simple video guide to which agency can help with different types of election-related complaints can be seen hereopen_in_new. 


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Alternatively, an at-a-glance, printable 'Who covers what' fact sheet is available hereopen_in_new.

Broadcasters are encouraged to help us promote awareness of these resources, and our quick guide to election programmes,open_in_new through their own channels and networks.

Media briefing

The BSA, ASA, NZMC and Electoral Commission will brief media entities about election advertising rules on Wednesday 5 August. Media who would like to join, but have yet to receive an invitation to this online session, are invited to contact us at info@bsa.govt.nz.

This briefing follows an earlier session at which political party secretaries were briefed on their obligations.
 
Please feel free to share the information and resources in this Pānui with anyone else in your network who might find them helpful.
 

Ngā mihi mahana
Stacey Wood
Chief Executive

LATEST DECISIONS



SL and Radio New Zealand Ltd - 2026-008 (8 July 2026) open_in_new

The Authority has not upheld a complaint that an interview on Saturday Morning with Baroness Dr Hilary Cass breached broadcasting standards. Dr Cass is the author of an independent review of NHS gender identity services for children and young people in England, whose findings contributed to the New Zealand Government’s decision to ban new prescriptions for puberty blockers to treat gender dysphoria or incongruence. The Authority acknowledged the complainant’s concerns about the harm that could result from the ban on puberty blockers in New Zealand, and that many New Zealand medical member associations have expressed strong concern about it. However, it found the interview was clearly signalled as presenting Dr Cass’s opinion on a controversial and unsettled debate (the long-term safety of puberty blockers in transgender healthcare) and did not breach the balance or accuracy standards. Further, discussion of Dr Cass’s professional opinions as a result of her review was not discriminatory against trans youth. The fairness standard did not apply.

Not Upheld: Discrimination and Denigration, Balance, Accuracy, and Fairness



Edwards and Mediaworks Radio Ltd - 2026-012 (24 June 2026) open_in_new

The Authority has not upheld a complaint that a news bulletin on The Breeze about United States President Donald Trump’s social media post saying he was ‘glad’ Robert Mueller died, breached the accuracy and fairness standards. The complainant alleged the omission of Trump’s full post created a misleading and unfair impression of what he said. The Authority found the newsreader’s summary of Trump’s response was accurate, the post was correctly attributed, and the choice to include or not include the full post was at the editorial discretion of the broadcaster. Other national and international media outlets also reported on the post, which reduced the likelihood of the segment materially misleading the audience.

Not Upheld: Accuracy and Fairness



Garrood and NZME Radio Ltd - 2026-016 (24 June 2026) open_in_new

The Authority has not upheld a complaint about a Mike’s Minute segment on Phase Two of the Royal Commission report Whītiki Aotearoa: further lessons from COVID-19 to prepare Aotearoa New Zealand for a future pandemic. The complainant alleged the segment presented ‘misrepresentations’ and inaccuracies about the findings of the report and was unbalanced and unfair. The Authority found the segment overall was consistent with well-established audience expectations of Mike’s Minute and the comments expressed were either clearly opinion or not materially misleading. The Authority also found the broadcast was not required to present significant perspectives under the balance standard, and the fairness standard did not apply.

Not Upheld: Balance, Accuracy, Fairness
 

NEWS AND RESEARCH
 
 

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