BSA Statement of Intent 2020-24
This Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out what the Broadcasting Standards Authority | Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho (BSA) intends to achieve or contribute to over the next four years and how it will manage its functions and operations to meet its intentions. This SOI is produced in accordance with section 141 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
A copy of the full report is available for download for the year ending 30 June 2024.
BSA Statement of Intent 2020-24
Statement from the Board
This Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out what the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) intends to achieve or contribute to over the next four years and how it will manage its functions and operations to meet its intentions. This SOI is produced in accordance with section 141 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.
We have prepared this SOI in the context of the global COVID 19 pandemic where a state of national emergency has been declared in New Zealand. Our country and our people are dealing with a full national lockdown. In these circumstances, news and broadcast media has been recognised as an essential service, with a critical role in keeping our diverse communities connected and informed. The impact that these events will have on our community, businesses and economy remains uncertain as we all respond to the new restrictions, and ways of working and living. There is no doubt that the impact will be profound.
BSA successfully transitioned to 100% remote working under alert level 4 of the pandemic restrictions. Our systems, processes and staff have all adapted well, to the new way of working. Our organisation is equipped to provide all services under these conditions. With more people at home, there has been an increase in consumption of broadcast media, yet complaint numbers have remained stable, with a moderate increase in the number of enquiries. We have adapted our research to online contactless methodologies. The primary pressure on the BSA arising from COVID-19 is the likely reduction in broadcasting levy revenue, and the continuation of complex complaints being brought to us. COVID-19 has amplified the pressure on our revenue and resourcing which we had already identified as our primary operating challenge.
The events connected with COVID 19 are added to an already complex and dynamic media environment, where technology, the nature, location and business structures of content providers, and the way we consume media content continues to change rapidly. While traditional broadcasting through television and radio continues to be an important part of the sector, online content is growing rapidly, particularly with the younger generation. The age, ethnicity and socio-economic demographics of New Zealand are also changing which influences the attitudes and values of our diverse liberal democracy. In this fluid environment, an ethical framework that provides guidance for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in media without harm is critical. Determining where the boundary lies, which may justify a limitation on that right, is at the heart of what we do. The broadcasting standards system, and our role within it, remains an important part of the evolving media environment.
Since our last SOI was prepared we have seen a significant increase in the complexity of the challenges and issues with which we deal. Content continues to push boundaries and what society finds acceptable is also continuing to change. The terrorist attack on 15 March 2020 highlighted the great harms that can result from an extremist exercise of the right to freedom of expression and the challenge facing media of keeping the community informed without harm when reporting on such events.
Notwithstanding this rapidly changing media environment, we continue to operate under our 1989 legislation, working alongside a range of other content regulators. Recognising that we must ensure that we fulfil our mandate in the contemporary environment, we have undertaken a review of the extent to which the Broadcasting Act applies to certain categories of online broadcasting. Our work on this review is ongoing. We also intend to undertake a full review of our Codes to ensure they are fit for purpose and reflect appropriate views, attitudes and expectations of the New Zealand community.
Prior to the events of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Government had signalled its commitment to undertake a broader review of content regulation in New Zealand to better reflect the converged media environment. We see the need for comprehensive reform as pressing and it will have to also take into account the impact the pandemic and lockdown have had on our media sector. We are committed to providing advice and assistance to this work, whilst also continuing to operate within our statutory mandate in a clear and transparent way.
Against this background, our focus over the coming years is to ensure we deliver high quality services, in the modern environment in which we operate, whilst also contributing to the regulatory review. Our decisions must continue to be robust and clear and we must work well with co-regulators of content in New Zealand. A key focus is to work with broadcasters and the public to ensure they are aware of and understand how the standards apply and how the complaints process works, with particular focus on our Māori, Pasifika and diverse communities. We are committed to supporting the intergenerational wellbeing of all New Zealanders by overseeing and promoting the standards that enable New Zealanders to engage safely in broadcast media without harm. In 2019 we refreshed our strategic framework, to reflect our commitment to increased focus on engagement and education to prevent harm from broadcasting, alongside our continuing work of responding to complaints and ensuring our services are accessible and efficient. The impacts we intend to achieve are set out in the strategic framework in section 4.
Previously we have measured our impact by seeking to achieve a reduction in the number of upheld and not upheld complaints. As this measure is open to a range of inferences, some of which may be ambiguous, it has been removed. In its place we now seek to measure improvements which are made to broadcaster conduct, policy, practice and procedure in response to a decision we have issued. We assess this measure by way of case studies and feedback from broadcasters through our broadcaster survey.
As we said at the outset, we are now operating in an uncertain environment. We will keep this SOI under constant review, and may refresh it if necessary, as and when the impact of the pandemic on broadcasting and our operations becomes clearer.
Judge Bill Hastings
Chair
Paula Rose QSO, Susie Staley MNZM
Members
A limited number of print copies are available. To enquire about a print copy, email: info@bsa.govt.nz