Broadcasting Standards Authority | Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho

Broadcasters inform and entertain us, but along with that they have an obligation to follow certain standards. The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) oversees this regime on behalf of New Zealanders. We were set up under the Broadcasting Act 1989 and come under the umbrella of Ministry for Culture and Heritage. We are an independent Crown entity, so the Government does not direct us in our work. We are governed by the Authority board made up of four members. We also have a small staff who support the Authority members and run our office services. Our three key activities work together to support and enhance the maintenance of standards in broadcasting. They are: COMPLAINTS DETERMINATION The BSA provides the public with a free, independent complaints service about programmes on television, radio, and on-line and on-demand content that has previously been broadcast and content that is live-streamed by a broadcaster. We don’t deal with complaints about advertising (unless it’s a promo about a programme), on-demand content not previously broadcast, written publications and some matters which are in the broadcaster's discretion. Our decisions can be appealed in the High Court. OVERSIGHT AND DEVELOPMENT OF BROADCASTING STANDARDS We work with broadcasters and the public to set clear broadcasting standards, review our Codebook, issue practice notes and undertake research. EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT We provide clear, user-friendly information and guidance about the broadcasting standards system, our decisions and our research. We engage with broadcasters, the public and our stakeholders on a wide range of issues relating to broadcasting standards, the complaints process, freedom of expression and avoidance of harm. You can find this information on our website, including the publication of all our decisions and research.