New Zealand's major radio and TV broadcasters today confirmed
the launch of the Online Media Standards Authority, a new
industry funded, self-regulatory body to oversee online news
and current affairs content standards.
The authority was created following talks between TVNZ,
Sky/Prime, MediaWorks TV, Maori Television, Radio New
Zealand, The Radio Network and MediaWorks Radio.
They began after the Law Commission published a paper called
'The News Media meets New Media' in December 2011.
The chairwoman of the new authority, Clare Bradley, said the
commission identified a regulatory gap in the oversight of
news and current affairs content solely published online.
The new authority aims to provide an industry led,
cost-effective and consumer-friendly solution.
It will publish a code of standards and provide a free
complaints process overseen by a committee.
The committee will be chaired by retired Court of Appeal
Judge Sir Bruce Robertson and will include four public
members and three broadcasting industry representatives.
The authority will be based in Auckland.
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