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New Zealand Scraps Fees-Free Tertiary Scheme

RNZ National Wellington 6d2d Impact 7

New Zealand Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed today that the media regulatory authority will be scrapped following an assessment of its fitness for purpose. Goldsmith stated that news and entertainment consumption patterns have changed dramatically while the regulatory structure has not. A suggestion exists for the council to transition into a self-regulatory body for handling complaints. Goldsmith also noted that consumers can choose to avoid offensive content by switching stations. A proposal is being discussed to remove New Zealand's only statutory regulator of broadcasting media. Concerns were raised that without this regulator, broadcast media might not maintain standards, potentially distorting public debate and enhancing polarization.

New Zealand Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed today that the media regulatory authority will be scrapped following an assessment of its fitness for purpose. Goldsmith stated that news and entertainment consumption patterns have changed dramatically while the regulatory structure has not. A suggestion exists for the council to transition into a self-regulatory body for handling complaints. Goldsmith also noted that consumers can choose to avoid offensive content by switching stations. A proposal is being discussed to remove New Zealand's only statutory regulator of broadcasting media. Concerns were raised that without this regulator, broadcast media might not maintain standards, potentially distorting public debate and enhancing polarization. New Zealand's Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed that the fees-free scheme, covering first-time tertiary students' final year of study, will be scrapped in this year's budget. The Council of Trade Unions President Sandra Gray stated this change will result in more young people foregoing education or employment. The scheme's abolition was passed despite strong opposition from Labour and Green Party members.

Topics

media regulation government policy

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Sources · 7 independent

RNZ National

“Paul Goldsmith confirmed today the authority will be scrapped after assessing whether it was still fit for purpose.”

RNZ National

“Zealand, the government has announced it will disestablish the Broadcasting Standards Authority.”

RNZ National

“getting rid of the only statutory regulator we have of broadcasting media, that somehow the broadcast media would be impelled to maintain and uphold those standards.”

RNZ National

“Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that the scheme, which covers first-time tertiary students' final year of study, will be scrapped in this year's budget.”

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