A controversial ruling by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) extending its jurisdiction to online content has ignited a political backlash, with senior figures branding the move an overreach that threatens free speech and calling for the regulator to be dismantled entirely.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters led the charge, condemning the decision as “breathtaking in its audacity” and accusing the Authority of stepping far beyond its legal mandate. The ruling confirmed the BSA can regulate The Platform outlet hosted by Sean Plunket, marking a significant expansion of the watchdog’s reach into digital media.
Peters argued the Authority had effectively rewritten the law to suit its agenda. “They acknowledge there’s a gap between the legislation and modern communications, then claim they can bridge it themselves,” he said, describing the move as “bordering on fascist behaviour” and warning it represents “a dangerous step for democratic discourse.” He added that, in his view, the decision should trigger “the end of the BSA,” declaring it no longer fit for purpose.
Plunket, whose comments about tikanga Māori sparked the original complaint, has also gone on the offensive, accusing the regulator of “Orwellian mind control” and a process he described as “completely useless” and “stacked.” He signalled the fight would shift beyond legal channels, framing it as a broader political battle over free expression.
Criticism has also come from ACT MP Laura McClure, who said the ruling exposes a regulator “scrambling to stay relevant by grabbing power it was never meant to have.” McClure argued the BSA has taken legislation designed for traditional broadcasting and attempted to apply it to podcasts, livestreams, and wider internet content—an approach she said “isn’t credible.”
“The Authority is now claiming the internet counts as broadcasting. By that logic, anything online could be dragged into its net,” she said, warning the implications should concern anyone who values free speech. McClure labelled the BSA a “taxpayer-funded taste police” and confirmed she is pushing legislation to abolish it entirely.
Peters echoed that stance, backing efforts to scrap the Authority and pledging support for legislative moves to dismantle what he sees as an outdated institution attempting to assert control over modern communications.
The BSA has defended its position, arguing that excluding online broadcasters would leave a significant regulatory gap in protecting audiences. However, critics say the decision highlights a deeper issue: a regulator built for an earlier media era attempting to extend its authority into a vastly different digital landscape.
The decision of the Broadcasting Standards Authority that it has jurisdiction over The Platform is breathtaking in its audacity.
It has singlehandedly decided it knows better than the regulatory framework it operates under and that it should regulate the entire internet in New…
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) March 31, 2026
𝗕𝗦𝗔 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯: 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵
ACT MP Laura McClure says today’s Broadcasting Standards Authority ruling shows a regulator scrambling to stay relevant by grabbing power it was never meant to…
— ACT New Zealand (@actparty) March 31, 2026
New Zealand jurisdiction = pure corruption!
Close immediately it is a security risk most likely a proxy for the likes of the CCP.
Wake up people.
In China you can actually speak out against government. I have spoken with people who have done so in sight of security camera’s. I said nothing as it made me anxious but they told me you can have an open opinion, its when you are seen to organise against government that you have a problem but lets be honest, that’s true everywhere these days. Just ask Julian Assange., Scott Ritter and others.
Suffice to say this is what mature capitalism looks like and I’ll add its not even new. The Communist scare mongering Trojen horse from the 1950’s in the US was about silencing free speech and expression. Didn’t work then, so they are having another go now.
Lets hope you are correct, however B4 we lie down and have a cup of tea how is it one of our political Party’s has known links i would suggest with funding comes political influence surely ?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/chinas-communists-fund-jacinda-arderns-labour-party-what-the-united-states-congress-was-told/YLXIFYHTQHUZSJAAUPRGSK6QSQ/
I can see ex PM comrade Clarks fingerprints all over this.
Has China got its police service in New Zealand. No that’s the FBI. Has China got a listening post in New Zealand. No that’s Five Eyes. Sometimes the truth isn’t convenient much as the MSM would wish it so.
No they have the silk road 100 year initiative quietly creeping through the west look at Rarotonga look at our indebted councils where is the money coming from? China .
You as a property owner are the collateral when the councils default on their loans.
I guess we all believe what we want to believe.
Seems being a patriot to western values is very uncool at the moment.
Yep we have been sold to the USA. The support for the Iran war by our so called sovereign govt says all that need be said.
Well our values align with them always has been.
Democracy freedom its far from perfect show me the better alternative.?
If YOU don’t like that i suggest you leave and find your utopia..
The USA isn’t a supporter of democracy and freedom, they promote terrorism and death. NZ isn’t the USA. If YOU don’t like OUR values then leave and feel free to take NZ’s pro US stooge politicians with you.
YEA NAH…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnj04idztaw
Really, Peters!! If you are serious, just void the Crown Entities Act 2004 and reign in ALL these so-called independent Crown Entities.
The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) in New Zealand maintains independence as an Independent Crown Entity under the “Crown Entities Act 2004”, meaning the government cannot direct its decisions on specific complaints or code development. Independence is secured through fixed-term board appointments and legal obligations to operate impartially, separating political influence from regulatory functions. The Board operates under a strict code of conduct that promotes “impartiality”, allowing them to balance the high value placed on “free speech” in New Zealand with the need to “prevent harm”, as outlined in the BSA Board Charter.
The BSA’s independence include: Independent Crown Entity Status: Unlike other Crown entities, the BSA does not have to comply with government policy directives, allowing it to act independently of ministerial control. Legislative Mandate: The BSA is created by the Broadcasting Act 1989, which gives it “independent statutory powers” to handle complaints and set standards, rather than acting as a government department. Fixed-Term Board Appointments: Members are appointed by the “Governor-General”, not the Prime Minister directly, for fixed terms, reducing the risk of political interference. Independent Funding Structure: While “partially funded” by the government, the BSA also receives funding from levies paid by broadcasters. Expertise-Based Selection: Board members are selected for their “expertise”, and the chair must be a barrister or solicitor, ensuring “legal independence”.
As you point out levies are paid by broadcasters however podcasters such as Sean Plunket have never been levied by the Broadcasting Commission, presumably because they were never deemed to be covered by he Act. It is therefore a bit rich for the Commission to now claim authority over a group of people that was never imagined when the Act was initiated.
This is the very point. The law lags behind technology in about a thousand million different ways.
Seems like the GG is an enemy of the people.
Storm in a teacup. Just don’t trust any media at all including these fascists who purport to self-regulate. Our taxes can be saved by simply removing the BSA. They are of no use to me.
Smirking weasel plunket the treacherous zionist establishment sh*thead punk who supports war and genocide and who yells for the jailing of covid-whistleblowers and supported and backed nazi-mandates censorship cancellation and lies and msm propoganda with sleazy evasive hypocrisy…..So the fakest phoniest most disingenous turd out there gets his phony arse shat-on by his globalist establishment buddies… Oh the irony …
Sikko, man, you are close to honing your vomit into poetry.
A bit of stanza, a bit of rhyme, a bit of rhythm and you will be making a name in the annals of revolutionary art during the latter days of what will be come to be named ‘Godzone New Zealand’.
Poet and govt critic Villon died young….I think yo are on similar good track….’course I wish you many more rrrevolutions around the sun than he had….pun intentional 👍
But the real point I’d like to make, there is a vacuum of statesmanship and intellect in the beehive that is wrecking the country.
Real education has been usurped by ‘edjewcation’.
I think your poetry will be like many of the intellectual spines that saved many civilisations from barbarism.
Watch out, thej will call you ‘anti(((anything)))’.
Your comments are racist Jews are entitled to exist.
Tall poppy syndrome, the jews may have there issues but you have to admit they are a very successful intelligent race.
Funny how people love to hate on other peoples success.
So the Gaza genocide is an example of success?
Well they should not have brutally attacked on 10/23 and now they have had there arses kicked.
I agree no one should want war however in reality evil does exist .
So the genocide of innocent Palestinians who did nothing wrong, including women and children is quite alright? Thanks for making my point for me. Oh and if there’s evil in this world its spelt USA and Israel.
Well ACT/NZF you are in office so what are you actually going to do about it? Words are all good and well but actions speak a LOT louder. After all, these institutions and organisations are, I would think, effectively under your management and answerable to you on our behalf?
Free speech and expression are the very things that define a democracy and its incumbent I believe, on any party and politician, operating in that sphere, to uphold those essential rights.
BTW why are you so silent on this matter thus far, National?
Frankly I have little faith in anything the mainstream of politics has to say. Do they really care or is it performative? Lets keep in mind most of them failed to reject what the US is doing in Iran, which I would characterize as an horrendous example of rejecting norms of decent behavior and a respect for human rights.
Anyway lets see if the BSA are held to account. That will be telling in and of itself.
Meanwhile, back in National Party HQ Humpty Dumpty sits on the wall….
And according to Shubz, Luxon is about to fall. (read pushed).
They have to put a bill through parliament to disestablish it and ACT have done this. You can also sign the petition on the ACT website.
The government is the only source of truth.
Signed, Jacinda Ardern
And witnessed by Hipkins and Bloomfield
With the truth that’s slowly beginning to emerge mainstream about his knowledge of the myocarditis risk Hipkins is now a ‘dead politician walking.’
Anyone with half a brain knew all about the side effects of the jab before the first shot was given in NZ.