BSA Pānui - July-August 2018

Number 84

Message from the Chief Executive

Kia ora 

On 31 July 2018, we launched our Public Consultation on Timebands and Classificationsopen_in_new, to find out whether New Zealanders think any changes should be made to the free-to-air television timebands and classification labels that have been used for decades to protect free-to-air television viewers from unsuitable content. 

We want to know whether viewers rely on timebands and whether they use parental locks (which are available on Freeview and SKY) and other tools to protect children from unsuitable content. We are looking at both the 6-9am and 4-7pm G-only timeband and the 8.30pm AO watershed timeband. We know that viewing habits are changing and more audiences are watching content at a time that suits them, whether through on-demand or online platforms, or through recording programmes to watch later. However, our Understanding Timebands within Vulnerable Communities Studyopen_in_new also showed us that there are families who rely on timebands and classifications to help them to decide what they and their children watch. We want to hear your views on whether changes should be made, and what those changes should be. 

We also want to know whether people think that free-to-air television should adopt the pay television classification labels (G, PG, M, 16 & 18).

We are keen to hear all views so please tell us what you think. The consultation period runs from 31 July – 31 August 2018. You can make a submission by email to us at info@bsa.govt.nz, by completing the online survey (hereopen_in_new) or attending one of the community meetings in August. Details about the consultation, public meetings and how to tell us what you think are available on our websiteopen_in_new. 

Ngā mihi
Belinda

This Month
In case you missed it, this month we: 

Latest Decisions
This month the Authority released five decisions. Summaries for two of these decisions are highlighted below. 
Complaints about Free-to-Air Television Broadcasts

An item on The Project discussed the End of Life Choice Bill (the Bill) before the Select Committee of Parliament. The item featured interviews with advocates for and against the legalisation of euthanasia in Aotearoa. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that the item was unbalanced or that the use of certain terms such as ‘euthanasia’ was inaccurate. The Authority recognised the legalisation of euthanasia is an important and ongoing issue of public importance in New Zealand. The Authority found that overall the item was sufficiently balanced and was unlikely to mislead or misinform viewers, so any restriction on the broadcaster’s freedom of expression would be unjustified.

Not Upheld: Balance, Accuracy
Complaints about Radio Broadcasts 

Leighton and NZME Radio Ltd - 2018-034open_in_new

During Hauraki Breakfast, hosts Jeremy Wells and Matt Heath discussed smoking marijuana, in relation to several National Party MPs who had recently publicly stated they had never tried it. The hosts took calls from listeners who had also never tried marijuana and asked them why they had never tried it. The Authority did not uphold a complaint that the broadcast promoted and encouraged the use of marijuana. The Authority found the broadcast amounted to a comedic discussion of smoking marijuana that did not go beyond established audience expectations of Radio Hauraki, Hauraki Breakfast or the hosts. The Authority noted that humour and satire are important aspects of free speech, and found that on this occasion, there was insufficient risk of harm to justify limiting the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression.

Not Upheld: Law and Order, Children’s Interests 

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 

NZ On Air: Where Are The Audiences? 2018open_in_new

Journalism for the public goodopen_in_new

Australian competition boss leads charge on internet giants as NZ watchdog looks onopen_in_new

NZ's radio listenership continues to grow exponentiallyopen_in_new

New role helping grow Te Māngai Pāho media strategyopen_in_new

Watch the ads Kiwis complained about in Juneopen_in_new

Support for new comedy talent and ideasopen_in_new

The Pacific 

ABC journalists banned from covering Pacific Islands Forum open_in_new

Fairfax to merge with Nine in Australia open_in_new

Samoa Govt moving ahead with digital TV open_in_new

International

Netflix and Amazon become more popular than pay-TV services open_in_new

Ofcom Children's content review: July 2018 updateopen_in_new

Fewer women, people of color worked at radio stations in 2017 than 2016, a new survey showsopen_in_new

Africa's OTT TV market 'poised for growth'open_in_new

Alarm bells over fake news clampdownsopen_in_new

Ofcom Media Nations 2018 open_in_new

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