Policy Statement: Restoring Truth and Independence in New Zealand Media
Opening Statement: The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party believes that a healthy democracy depends entirely on the flow of honest, transparent, and balanced information. Today, that foundation is crumbling. Since 2020, trust in New Zealand media has collapsed by nearly half—falling from 58% to a staggering 32%. For the first time, New Zealanders trust their news less than the global average.
For too long, the "fourth estate" has drifted away from its role as an independent watchdog, becoming increasingly centralized, government-funded, and insulated from the very people it serves. When 75% of our citizens admit to avoiding the news because they no longer see their own lives or values reflected in the "government-sanctioned narrative," the system has failed. To restore this broken social contract, we are calling for a total overhaul of media regulation: shifting away from state-appointed authorities and industry-funded "clubs" toward a truly independent, people-focused system that makes fair and balanced reporting a mandatory requirement for all professional outlets.
1. Amending the Broadcasting Act 1989: A Digital Bill of Rights
The current Act is a relic of a pre-internet age. We will move to modernize the legislation to ensure that "Broadcasting" encompasses all professional digital platforms.
Mandatory Balance Clause (Section 4): We will amend Section 4(1)(d) to remove the phrase "reasonable efforts" and replace it with a Strict Statutory Duty. Broadcasters will be legally required to present significant alternative points of view on all controversial issues of public importance.
Universal Coverage (Section 2): We will expand the definition of "Broadcaster" to include all professional digital news publishers and social media platforms operating in New Zealand, ensuring they are held to the same standards of truth as traditional TV and radio.
2. Ending the Media Blackout on Minor Parties
The NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party has been vocal about the persistent failure of media to provide fair representation to minor and registered political parties. We have historically challenged the Electoral Commission regarding broadcasting allocations and "fairness" in media coverage. It is vital for a truly representative democracy that political reporting reflects the full spectrum of registered parties, not just those already in Parliament.
The "All-Voices" Reporting Mandate: We will introduce a new section to the Act requiring that in any news coverage of political policy or election issues, media outlets must invite comment from a diverse range of registered political parties.
Ending the "Major Party" Monopoly: "Balanced reporting" must not be defined as simply interviewing a Labour and a National representative. If a news point affects the outdoors, civil liberties, or rural communities, parties with specific platforms in those areas must be given a fair seat at the table.
3. Parliament TV: Transparency without Filtering
A critical and immediate focus for the NZOFP is the use of the taxpayer-funded Parliament TV to provide unfiltered transparency and direct access to parliamentary proceedings.
Direct Democratic Access: Leader Sue Grey recently met with Parliamentary Services regarding access to Parliamentary TV as a platform for parties to present their policies directly to the public. NZOFP believes this initiative would powerfully promote democracy and informed voting by dramatically increasing access to information about registered political parties and their platforms.
Cost-Effective Transparency: By utilising Parliament TV, New Zealanders can be served on a platform they already pay for and trust, ensuring that all policies can be viewed without the editorial filtering or bias of commercial news outlets.
Petition for Unfiltered Access: We fully support the petition currently before Parliament calling for this direct access to Parliamentary TV.
Sign the Petition Here: https://petitions.parliament.nz/1e937738-332d-4d44-5f39-08de53ef0f66
4. Reforming the BSA and Media Council: From Gatekeepers to Watchdogs
We propose the dissolution of the current split between the Crown-appointed BSA and the industry-run Media Council, replacing them with a single Independent Media Standards Commission.
Separation of State and Media (Section 26): To ensure true independence, the Commission’s board will not be appointed by the Minister. Instead, appointments will be managed by an independent panel consisting of the Chief Ombudsman and representatives from civil society.
Statutory Funding (Section 30C): We will implement a statutory levy across the sector to provide secure, arm's-length funding, ensuring the regulator is never financially beholden to the media corporations it investigates.
5. Mandatory "Equal Prominence" and the Right of Reply
The Equal Prominence Rule (Section 13): We will legislate that any correction or apology ordered by the Commission must be given the same prominence as the original story. If a misleading claim was a headline, the correction must be a headline.
A Statutory Right of Reply: We will establish a legal "Right of Reply" for individuals and smaller political parties who are the subject of controversial reporting, ensuring they can present their perspective immediately.
6. Independent Investigations and Systemic Audits
Systemic Bias Reviews: The Commission will have the power to conduct periodic audits of media outlets. If an outlet shows a consistent pattern of ignoring smaller parties or alternative viewpoints, the Commission will have the power to issue heavy fines and require structural changes to their editorial processes.