Broadcasting Standards Must Protect All New Zealanders – Regardless of Platform
This week, Rights Aotearoa took a bold stance in support of the Broadcasting Standards Authority's decision to apply broadcasting standards to internet-based broadcasters, calling it an overdue step toward ensuring all New Zealanders are protected from harmful broadcast content regardless of transmission method.
"For too long, internet-only broadcasters have exploited a regulatory gap to broadcast content that would be immediately sanctioned on traditional media. The BSA's provisional decision closes a dangerous loophole that has allowed hate speech and discriminatory content to flourish unchecked."
Our position is clear: technology cannot be a loophole for harm. Trans, non-binary, and intersex New Zealanders deserve the same protections from harmful broadcast content whether it reaches them via television or internet stream.
Oral Submission Against the Public Service Amendment Bill 2025
Rights Aotearoa appeared before the Governance and Administration Select Committee to oppose the Public Service Amendment Bill 2025. Our submission highlighted the serious risks this legislation poses to human rights protections and the independence of public service advice.
We argued that weakening public service independence undermines the institutional frameworks that protect marginalised communities, including trans, non-binary, and intersex New Zealanders who rely on consistent, rights-based policy development.
Call for United Opposition Commitment on Regulatory Standards Act
Rights Aotearoa has called on opposition parties to commit to repealing the Regulatory Standards Act in the first 30 days of any future left-wing coalition government.
This legislation poses a significant threat to human rights protections by potentially constraining government's ability to regulate for equality and dignity. We need clear commitments from opposition parties that they will act swiftly to reverse this harmful legislation.
Rethinking the Marketplace of Ideas
What does an alternative to the "marketplace of ideas" look like? Our latest opinion piece challenges the dominant free speech framework and offers a human rights-based approach to expression and harm.
The marketplace metaphor assumes all ideas compete on equal terms, but this ignores power dynamics and the real-world harm caused by hate speech and discriminatory content. A rights-based approach centres dignity, equality, and substantive protection for marginalised communities.
Letter to Chief Human Rights Commissioner Re: Ia Tangata
We're resurfacing our important letter to the Chief Human Rights Commissioner regarding Ia Tangata and the Commission's obligations to protect trans, non-binary, and intersex rights.
This letter remains relevant as we continue to advocate for stronger institutional responses to threats against our communities. The Human Rights Commission has a critical role to play, and we will continue to hold it accountable to that mandate.
Rights Aotearoa
New Zealand's leading non-governmental organisation devoted to promoting and defending universal human rights with a focus on transgender, non-binary, and intersex rights.
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