Government To Disestablish The BSA

Added: 2026-05-10

[00:00:00]Uh Sean Plunkett is joining us. We have Michael news flash.

[00:00:03]>> Um it is a news flash. I've just received this from a source of parliament >> and I think you'll figure out why I wanted to share it with you. It's going to come out at midday today and I will read this statement.

[00:00:17]The government is to disestablish the BSA. The government has agreed to progress with disestablishing the Broadcasting Standards Authority and investigate self-regulation options.

[00:00:27]Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldmith says New Zealand's media landscape has changed dramatically, but our regulatory settings have not kept up. The BSA regime was designed for a broadcasting environment that is rapidly disappearing. Today, audiences move seamlessly between traditional broadcasting on demand services, podcasts, and online platforms. Yet, only a small portion of that content is subject to the BSA's regulatory oversight. It doesn't make sense. The current framework can create inconsistencies and unfair outcomes for media providers with similar content treated differently depending on whether it is broadcast live or accessed on demand. Print media already self-regulates through the New Zealand Media Council. Some broadcasters have opted to be part of it. Our expectation is the media council will become the primary regulator for journalism. I am confident that greater industry self-regulation is the most practical way to level the playing field across platforms and can provide an appropriate level of oversight to maintain ethical journalistic standards and audience trust. Several other pieces of legislation including the criminal procedures act make reference to the BSA and other re revalent provisions contained in the broadcasting act 1989.

[00:01:48]Legislation to repeal the provisions will be drafted in the coming months.

[00:01:53]The BSA will continue its role until legislation is passed into law.

[00:01:58]>> Congratulations, Sean.

[00:02:00]>> Well, to everyone to everyone who supported.

[00:02:03]>> Um, you know, one word or two words or a hyphenated word mumbo jumbo led to this.

[00:02:09]Isn't that Isn't that an amazing?

[00:02:11]>> Well, I can can I just tell people we can now push go on the next set of limited edition t-shirts.

[00:02:18]which we've got designed. Bye-bye BSA.

[00:02:21]Um, and I tell you what, did you know, Michael, it's our Saturday is our fourth anniversary of being on air.

[00:02:29]>> What a birthday present.

[00:02:31]>> Yeah. And I have to say, what a scalp uh from a whole series of people who decided with liberal overreach to come after you for no good reason at all. Can I just say though, do you think I mean it seems so evident to me, but if you hadn't have had that complaint investigated by the BSA, they'd still carry on in their sort of leveled infamy for forever, wouldn't they?

[00:02:52]>> Yep.

[00:02:53]>> Uh, you know, be careful what you wish for.

[00:02:56]>> Um, and they came for me. I didn't pick this fight.

[00:02:59]>> No.

[00:03:00]>> And and the voice of reason wasn't me.

[00:03:03]Was so many other people who got it. So, you know, that's that's a win for the good guys today. And thank you. I'm sorry I interrupted your program.

[00:03:11]>> No, no, no, mate. It was well and congratulations. You've been the lightning rod for this. The platform has affected significant and serious political change. The media industry, I have to say, should be in your debt, Sean. Well done.

[00:03:24]>> Thanks, mate. Cheers.

[00:03:26]>> Good on you. Um, all right. There you go. Announcement from our founder, our editor on that. What a remarkable outcome. Oh, dear. Oh dear. Just two words. Mumbo jumbo and tada. There you go. But that's what happens. And can I say um is that is the conclusion? Can't we now go for the others just quietly?

[00:03:50]Can't we now go after all those who impose their liberal orthodoxy upon the rest of us and expect us to dance to their tune? When you fight back, hasn't Shan Plunkett proven? And this is his personal victory that um there can be an outcome that is finally fair.