Regulations

New Zealand's media system is like a puzzle and each piece of the puzzle is important.

In the late 1980s, significant changes were made to the system that regulates our media. A range of agencies oversee the rules and codes for our media. The challenge for regulation is to balance strongly felt and powerfully argued positions. There is a need to balance freedom of expression as well as to safeguard the interests of all. A mix of separate organisations work together to define the boundaries of what is acceptable media content. Many of these boundaries are set by consultation or complaint.

A number of key organisations collaborate with the Government to ensure that the current dominant social values are reflected in our media regulations.