Broadcast standards watchdog proposed for removal
Would end the Broadcasting Standards Authority and leave complaints and standards to media self-regulation.
Broadcasting (Disestablishment of Broadcasting Standards Authority) Amendment Bill
What's changing
- The Broadcasting Standards Authority would be disestablished.
- The current broadcast standards and complaints system would be removed.
- Media providers would be responsible for developing and regulating their own standards and complaints processes.
- The broadcasting levy that partly funds the Authority would be removed.
Who's affected
Broadcasters, other media providers, and people who make or use complaints about broadcast content would be affected.
When
This is a proposal still going through Parliament, and no start date has been provided.
Background
The Bill says the current system is outdated because audiences are moving to online and on-demand media. The government says removing the Authority would make rules more consistent across media and reduce broadcasters’ compliance costs.