Winston Peters has slammed the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), accusing it of “bordering on fascism” after asserting it has jurisdiction over online outlet The Platform.
The New Zealand First leader made the remarks during an interview with Sean Plunket, responding to a freshly released BSA decision that found it can rule on a complaint against the online-only broadcaster.
The complaint relates to comments by Plunket describing karakia and tikanga Māori as “mumbo jumbo.”
The authority said it can and is “required to consider under the Broadcasting Act” complaints regarding The Platform’s Live Talkback programme, since the programme qualifies as “broadcasting” under the Act’s definition.
The Platform owner, Sean Plunket, has dismissed the BSA’s stance. It has also drawn criticism from free speech advocates and politicians, including Peters.
Peters told Plunket that the move displayed “breathtaking audacity.”
Plunket said he was frustrated by what he saw as a lack of government follow-through, claiming he had previously received assurances of support from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon—a claim Luxon later said he did not recall.
Luxon maintained the government had not interfered in the process, emphasising the BSA’s independence while noting ministers have a range of options available.
Meanwhile, Peters has called for the BSA to be abolished.
“Frankly, they should go. They should be abolished. They’re out of time. They’ve got no use anymore.”
“They say there’s a huge gap between existing national law and modern communications, but virtually in the next breath, they say they have the capacity to bridge this huge span all by themselves, and frankly, it calls into question as to whether they’ve got any idea of the modern world they’re living in.”
ACT leader David Seymour signalled scrapping the regulator altogether, saying it was “a creature of 1989” that is now overstepping its mandate in a modern digital landscape.
The party has introduced a private member’s bill to dismantle the Broadcasting Standards Authority, with Peters suggesting he might back it.