Media Council expected to take lead as government moves to scrap BSA
September 24, 2026
Summarised by Centrist
The government expects the New Zealand Media Council to become the primary regulator for journalism once the Broadcasting Standards Authority is abolished, shifting towards greater industry self-regulation.
Legislation to disestablish the BSA has been introduced to Parliament. The authority will continue operating until the legislation passes into law, Chris Lynch Media reports.
Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said existing regulations had failed to keep pace with audiences moving between traditional broadcasting, podcasts and online content.
“The reality is, the BSA regime was designed for a broadcasting environment that is rapidly disappearing,” he said.
The government argues the existing system produces inconsistent and unfair outcomes for organisations publishing similar content on different platforms. The Media Council already oversees print publications and counts several broadcasters among its members.
The legislation follows a high-profile dispute over the BSA’s jurisdiction over The Platform, founded by Sean Plunket.
The Platform argued it fell outside the authority’s remit as an online outlet. The BSA confirmed jurisdiction in April, saying excluding online broadcasters could leave a significant gap in public protections. The government announced its intention to abolish the authority the following month.
The BSA subsequently upheld aspects of two complaints involving The Platform, but imposed no orders, citing the unusual circumstances, delays and changing regulatory environment.
Plunket welcomed the legislation, telling Chris Lynch Media: “I’m heartened the coalition government delivered on this promise.”
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