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Broadcasting Act 1989

Programme standards

4: Responsibility of broadcasters for programme standards

You could also call this:

"Broadcasters must follow rules to keep programmes respectful and decent."

Illustration for Broadcasting Act 1989

You are a broadcaster and you must keep programme standards. You have to make sure your programmes are consistent with good taste and decency. You also have to maintain law and order, respect people's privacy, and present different points of view on important issues. You cannot broadcast films that are classified as objectionable under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993. If a film needs certain parts to be removed, you cannot broadcast those parts without the Chief Censor's consent. If you do not follow these rules, you will not be liable for any civil issues, which means you will not have to pay any fines.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM157413.

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Part 1Programme standards

4Responsibility of broadcasters for programme standards

  1. Every broadcaster is responsible for maintaining in its programmes and their presentation, standards that are consistent with—

  2. the observance of good taste and decency; and
    1. the maintenance of law and order; and
      1. the privacy of the individual; and
        1. the principle that when controversial issues of public importance are discussed, reasonable efforts are made, or reasonable opportunities are given, to present significant points of view either in the same programme or in other programmes within the period of current interest; and
          1. any approved code of broadcasting practice applying to the programmes.

            1. Where, in respect of any film within the meaning of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993,—

            2. there is in force under that Act a decision classifying that film as objectionable; or
              1. there is in force under that Act a decision classifying that film as if certain excisions had been made,—
                  1. no broadcaster,—
                1. in the case of a film to which paragraph (a) applies, shall broadcast that film or any part of that film; or
                  1. in the case of a film to which paragraph (b) applies, shall broadcast the film, or any part of the film, if the film or, as the case may be, that part includes any part of the film required to be excised,—
                      1. except with the consent of the Chief Censor of Film and Literature and subject to any conditions subject to which the Chief Censor has given the consent.

                    1. No broadcaster shall be under any civil liability in respect of any failure to comply with any of the provisions of this section.

                    Notes
                    • Section 4(1): amended, on , by section 14 of the Broadcasting Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 3).
                    • Section 4(2): substituted, on , by section 150(1) of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 (1993 No 94).