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.