4 February 2022
Ryan Bullock
By email:
[FYI request #18074 email]
Dear Mr Bullock
Official Information Act request
Thank you for your request under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA), which was
transferred to us by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) on 27 January
2022. You asked:
• Can you detail how the government discovers, tracks and classifies content online and via
TV, radio.
• Can you provide detail about the budget spent per year on these associated activities.
DPMC transferred your request to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) insofar as it
relates to content on television and radio.
Response to your request
In response to your first query, I can advise that the BSA sets the requirements for programme
classification and audience advisories (including warnings) for radio and TV, but does not
classify content itself. Broadcasters carry out the appraisal and classification of individual
programmes. The
Classification Office also carries out classification of some content (eg
movies) which may appear on TV.
The
Broadcasting Codes of Practice describe the classifications that broadcasters must use
for programmes. The current codes applying to TV and radio (available at the above link) are:
• The Free-to-Air Television Code
• The Pay Television Code
• The Radio Code
Classification requirements can be found under Standard 2 – Programme Information in each
of the codes.
The BSA can also consider
formal complaints made under the Programme Information
standard, for example if a complainant thinks that a classification was not adequate.
The BSA does not track content on TV and radio.
In relation to your second query around budget spent, in light of our functions as set out above,
we have no budget allocated to the activities you identified.
Proactive release
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Please note that this response may be published on the BSA website in accordance with the
BSA’s policy regarding the proactive release of information. In this case, your personal details
would be redacted.
Right of review
We trust that this responds to your request.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review of this response by the Ombudsman.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
If you would like to discuss this response with us, please feel free to contact me or our Legal
Manager, Helen Cruse.
Yours sincerely
Glen Scanlon
Chief Executive
Broadcasting Standards Authority
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