Broadcast complaints
Wellington Access Radio and Wellington Access Broadcasting Society Inc. take complaints seriously.
If you have a complaint about a programme or any content you have heard on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM - broadcasting to Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and Porirua in New Zealand - please let us know.
In the first instance please refer to the BSA Radio Code and contact the Station Manager, Pip Adam, with your complaint:
Email: pip@accessradio.org.nz
Phone: (04) 385 7210
If you have a complaint about a programme or any content you have heard on Wellington Access Radio 106.1FM - broadcasting to Wellington, the Hutt Valley, and Porirua in New Zealand - please let us know.
In the first instance please refer to the BSA Radio Code and contact the Station Manager, Pip Adam, with your complaint:
Email: pip@accessradio.org.nz
Phone: (04) 385 7210
BROADCASTING STANDARDS authority - complaints process
1. Complain about a radio programme
If you think a radio programme hasn't followed the broadcasting standards, you can make a complaint.
What you can complain about:
You have to complain within 20 working days of a programme airing. You can make a complaint about:
- radio programmes
- radio programmes live streaming online (but not on-demand)
- promos for programmes
- election advertisements on radio (during election periods).
2. Complain to the broadcaster first
You can phone or write to the broadcaster to make a complaint.
If you want a response or the option to escalate your complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) later, you need to send them a formal complaint.
Making a formal complaint to the broadcasterWhen you make your complaint, you need to know which of the broadcasting standards you think has been breached. Read the: Within each standard, you can complain about:
- good taste and decency
- law and order
- balance
- fairness
- discrimination
- accuracy
- the protection of children
- violence
- the promotion of alcohol
- the programme's rating (eg G, PG, M)
- your privacy.
- the date of the broadcast
- the time of the broadcast
- the title of the programme
- the channel or station which broadcast the programme.
Make a formal complaint
Privacy complaintsIf you're complaining that your privacy's been breached, you can make a privacy complaint directly to the BSA.
Complain directly to the BSA
3. Response from the broadcaster
After a broadcaster receives your complaint, they have 20 working days to send you a decision. They have to:
- send you a written response
- tell you whether or not they agree with you, and if they're going to do anything about it
- let you know that you can refer your complaint to the BSA if you're not happy.
If you don’t get a response
If you haven't had any response in 20 working days, you can take your complaint directly to the BSA.
Note: There are no "working days" between December 25 and January 15.
4. Refer your complaint to the BSA if you're still not happy
You can refer your complaint to the BSA if:
- you're not happy with the broadcaster's response
- they didn't respond to you within 20 working days.
Refer a complaint to the BSA:
The BSA will:
- send a copy of your complaint to the broadcaster and ask them for comment
- ask them for a recording of the broadcast.
Once everyone's sent in their comments, the BSA board will discuss your complaint at their next meeting. They meet every 5 weeks.
The board can:
- agree with your complaint and make an order
- agree with or reject your complaint and release a public decision.
- pay up to $5,000 in costs to the Crown
- pay costs to you of up to $5,000 if they've breached your privacy
- pay your legal costs
- stop broadcasting advertising for up to 24 hours
- stop broadcasting completely for up to 24 hours.
Print Print
Please read The Broadcasting Standards Authority literature: The Radio Code for further advice on broadcasting standards.