Regulatory Bodies

Question 1

What is the Media council?

Answer 1

a self-regulatory body that concerns media freedom and helps resolves complaints based on ethical considerations

Question 2

What power do the Media Council have?

Answer 2

Private organisation, voluntary, no power to impose punishments, moral obligations

Question 3

What is the BSA?

Answer 3

Broadcasting Standards authority under the Act 1989. Authority (tribunal) that has a board.

Question 4

What power do they have?

Answer 4

Can order a series to be stopped. Also helps adjuticate privacy cases. Decisions can be appealed. Payment upto 5000 for compesation for privacy and then upto 100000 for failing to comply. High court can overturn if the decision was wrong in “principle or process”.

Question 5

Who do Media council oversee?

Answer 5

The Media Council’s scope applies to published material in newspapers, magazines and their websites, including audio and video streams, as well as to digital sites with news content, or blogs characterised by their new commentary.

Coverage also extends to the online content of the following broadcasters - TVNZ, MediaWorks, Sky Network Television, Maori Television, NZME Radio and Radio New Zealand.

The Council retains the discretion to decline a complaint if the publication has limited readership or the circumstances make the complaint inappropriate for resolution by the Council.

Question 6

Who do BSA oversee?

Answer 6

Broadcasters - radio, television, also on demand

Question 7

How do complaints work for BSA?

Answer 7

Can go straight to BSA for privacy. otherwise formal complaint to broadcaster, 20 days to reply, then can go from there to BSA, who you reject if you appeal to high court

Question 8

What BSA values are there?

Answer 8

Good taste and decency, children’s interests, alcohol, balance, accuracy, privacy, violence, law and order, discrimination, fairness, programme information,