The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA, Māori: Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho) is a New Zealand Crown Entity created by the Broadcasting Act 1989 to develop and uphold standards of broadcasting for radio, free-to-air and pay television.
The main functions of the BSA are:
The BSA is made up of a board appointed for a fixed term by the Governor General on the advice of the Minister of Broadcasting meaning that practically the Minister of Broadcasting (and Cabinet) appoint the board. The chair is always a barrister. One member is appointed after consultation with broadcasters and one after consultation with public interest groups.
Complaints regarding breaches of broadcasting standards can only be brought to the Authority after first being raised with the broadcaster.
In March 2013 the Law Commission proposed moving complaints about news and current affairs out of the jurisdiction of the BSA, the Press Council and the Online Media Standards Authority, placing them under a proposed new body, the News Media Standards Authority.