Kia ora koutou,
I hope this finds you well and warm as midwinter bites.
After a thorough review which began early last year, I’m delighted to let you know that a new, streamlined and more user-friendly
Broadcasting Standards Codebookopen_in_new goes live today.
The revised Code outlines requirements for TV and radio programmes, which viewers or listeners can complain about if they feel they have been breached. It has been developed by broadcasters and the BSA in consultation with other stakeholders and the public, and replaces the May 2020 version.
The new Code applies to all programmes broadcast on or after 1 July 2022. Complaints about broadcasts before this date will continue to be made under the old Codebook which is still available on our website.
The Codebook is available in English and te Reo Māori and is being translated into several other languages.
The review set out to simplify, clarify and future-proof the Codebook, to ensure it’s practical and aligned with other standards with which media must comply, and that it reflects our diverse society.
Key changes include:
- Combining the three previous codes for pay TV, free-to-air TV and radio into one simplified Code.
- Streamlining and combining some standards which cover related issues.
- Updating the guidelines for the discrimination and denigration standard to clarify its application to content reinforcing negative stereotypes.
- An obligation for broadcasters to correct material errors of fact within the accuracy standard.
- Updating the guidelines/commentary on how the standards apply, shaped by past BSA decisions.
- Refreshing the language to make it easier to understand.
- Updating guidance to clarify what’s required for a formal complaint (and the types of complaints broadcasters can treat as feedback only).
The Broadcasting Standards Codebook is central to achieving our vision of freedom of speech without harm on TV and radio.
We’ve done our best to ensure the new Code reflects the views of as wide a range of people and organisations as possible. Our warmest thanks go to those broadcasters and stakeholders who provided input, particularly the broadcaster working group, as well as members of the public who made submissions.
We now have a Code that not only reflects today’s industry and community expectations, attitudes, values and audience behaviour, but is simpler and easier to use for broadcasters and audiences.
You can look over the new Code for yourself on the
BSA websiteopen_in_new.
If you see an opportunity to draw attention to it through your networks, please feel free to do so.
Also, for those broadcasters interested, there is still time to register for one of our remaining webinar sessions on the new Code (3:00-4.00pm today or 10:00-11:00am on 7 July). These can be an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you have about the new Code. Contact us at
info@bsa.govt.nz to register.
Ngā mihi nui
Helen Cruse
Acting Chief Executive