Death throes: Outgoing broadcasting watchdog claims authority over online speech

Summarised by Centrist

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has upheld complaints against Sean Plunket and The Platform in its first ruling on an online-only broadcaster, potentially extending rules written for radio and television to livestreams and other internet-based media.

The decision comes as the government prepares to abolish the BSA. The Authority itself acknowledged the unusual timing, saying the ruling “may be the last” it makes involving an online broadcaster.

Despite describing the existing regulatory system as limited and obsolete, the BSA asserted that The Platform’s livestreams fell within the Broadcasting Act 1989. That law was passed before online broadcasting, podcasts and social media existed.

Plunket rejected that interpretation.

“We’re not broadcasters,” he told listeners, accusing officials of deciding “where the boundaries of their authority lie without reference to Parliament”.

The original complaint followed a July 2025 discussion about Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s proposed Kaupapa Māori strategy. Plunket described tikanga as “mumbo jumbo” and questioned whether the proposal would “help you put out more fires more efficiently”.

The BSA conceded that the phrase would not have breached broadcasting standards by itself.

“Referring to tikanga as ‘mumbo jumbo’ would not, on its own, breach broadcasting standards,” the Authority said.

Instead, it upheld the complaint because it judged the overall tone and viewpoint of a wider political discussion “scornful, anti-Māori and one-sided”.

A second complaint arose after Plunket discussed the BSA proceedings on air. He repeatedly named the complainant, made allegations about his political activities and later published BSA correspondence containing the man’s name and email address.

The BSA said the complainant subsequently received threats and abusive messages. It found this was a serious breach of privacy and the broadcaster’s responsibility to maintain law and order.

Yet the Authority imposed no order. It cited the novelty of applying its jurisdiction to an online outlet, the time taken to resolve the matter and the uncertainty surrounding its own future.

Read more at the BSA and Stuff

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