Kia ora koutou, and welcome to this midwinter edition of the BSA Pānui.
In this Pānui, I’m pleased to share a new ‘who covers what’ video for complainants, produced in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Authority and New Zealand Media Council.
Also in this edition, news of a boost to the BSA’s trust ratings in the latest research on the reputation of public service organisations.
We take the opportunity to offer a refresher on broadcasters’ obligations to air publicity notices informing TV and radio audiences about the complaints process. And we share details of a cooperation agreement we recently signed with Vanuatu’s newly appointed broadcasting regulator.
New video resource: Who can handle my complaint? We’re delighted to launch the latest in our series of ‘quick guide’ videos, a bite-sized explainer to help the public find the organisation that can handle their complaints about various types of content.
The existing regulatory landscape is fragmented and complex to navigate, one of the major reasons behind government proposals for reform. But any reforms will take time to enact. In the meantime, complaints about various types of content and/or media can fall within the remit of either the BSA, the New Zealand Media Council (NZMC), or the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) – a situation that often causes confusion among complainants.
The new video outlines the types of content covered by the BSA, NZMC and ASA and helps complainants navigate to the organisation best able to help. It has been produced in collaboration with the ASA and Media Council – and our special thanks go out to the ASA whose in-house video production talent made the finished visual product a reality.
The new video can be seen
hereopen_in_new.
open_in_newWe encourage broadcasters and stakeholders to use this video to guide complainants towards the complaints process and body best able to address their concerns. This now sits on our home page, along with other videos, together guiding audiences through the basics of who to complain to, and how, along with the tools they can use to make informed viewing and listening decisions to avoid harm.
open_in_newIn other ongoing improvements, we’ve simplified the language in our referral letters to complainants and broadcasters. We’ve also tweaked our online complaints form, adding to the introductory page a link to our guide on types of
complaints unlikely to succeedopen_in_new. This seeks to spare complainants, broadcasters, and our team, from committing limited time and resources to complaints that, based on past decisions, have little chance of being upheld.
BSA’s reputation on a high Verian’s annual public sector reputation index report has been released, showing a significant increase in trust towards the BSA – reaching its highest reputation rating since the survey began in 2017.
The BSA is identified as one of six agencies showing strong reputation improvements since 2024, and our score of 68% is only one point below the agencies sitting at 9 and 10 in the top 10 most trusted. The BSA’s scores have improved across all four ‘pillars’ – trust, leadership, social responsibility, and fairness.
While some of these improvements can be attributed to broader societal trends (noting the comparable improvements for the Classification Office and NZ On Air), I’m proud of the positive reflection on our team’s work, and their commitment to acting with integrity and fairness in everything they do. You can see the full report
hereopen_in_new.
Broadcaster publicity notices From time to time we field queries about broadcasters’ requirements to inform audiences of their rights under the broadcasting standards system.
The Broadcasting Act requires TV and radio broadcasters to air promos informing listeners and viewers that they can make a formal complaint if they think a programme has breached standards, and outlining the process.
Each publicity notice must be at least
15 seconds long and we recommend broadcasters include the following:
- the requirement that formal complaints be made:
- in writing
- within 20 working days of the broadcast
- to the broadcaster – except for privacy and election programme complaints, which can be made directly to the BSA
- the broadcaster’s contact details for sending complaints
- the right to refer a complaint to the BSA if the complainant is unhappy with the outcome
- where to go for more information on the process – the broadcaster’s or BSA’s web address.
We offer a template for a simple publicity notice in multiple languages
hereopen_in_new. But there’s room for flexibility and creativity in how broadcasters convey the information.
Publicity notices must be aired often enough so that each channel or station averages
one notice per day. The times of day must be
varied so that over the course of a year notices are aired across all programming times.
There’s more information on broadcaster publicity notices, in English and Māori, on our website
hereopen_in_new. Any broadcaster wanting further support or guidance can also contact our team, and we’ll be happy to help.
Supporting Vanuatu’s new regulator The BSA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vanuatu Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR), to support the organisation in its recently appointed role as broadcasting regulator for Vanuatu.
We were delighted to welcome Vanuatu High Commissioner HE Jimmy Nipo, TRBR Regulator Brian Winji Molitaviti, and TRBR's Senior Internet Governance Advisor Andrew Molivurae to our offices recently for the signing of this agreement. The MOU sets out support we have offered to provide to the TRBR as it develops regulations, processes and resources in its new role. We look forward to working together for the responsible regulation of broadcast media in Aotearoa and Vanuatu.
Photo: HE Jimmy Nipo, TRBR Regulator Brian Winji Molitaviti, BSA Chief Executive Stacey Wood, BSA Legal Adviser Kat Taufalele, and TRBR's Andrew Molivurae.
And finally, you may have seen recent advertisements inviting applications for the Chair’s role at the BSA. The current four-year term of our existing Chair, Susie Staley, is coming to an end later this year. As per normal process, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage has been advertising to find a suitable pool of candidates for the Minister to consider. Please be assured that in the meantime it’s very much business as usual. As ever, we look forward to continuing to work with you towards our vision of freedom in broadcasting without harm.
Ngā mihi mahana
Stacey Wood
Chief Executive