Yardley says abolish the BSA

Mike Yardley writes:

As someone who has worked in broadcasting for over 30 years — and has admittedly been the subject of several failed complaints to the BSA — I believe it has had its day. It should be abolished.

Alternatively, perhaps it should fold its tent and transfer oversight of broadcasting standards to the Media Council. This self-regulatory body is funded by its industry members.

This is my preferred model. One industry led self-regulatory body for all media. No appointments by Government.

the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has surely bitten off more than it can chew by trying to broaden its remit.

With so much media content shifting to newer platforms, far beyond terrestrial and satellite television bands and AM/FM radio frequencies, the BSA is in a battle for its survival. Its authority is steadily diminishing, and this taxpayer-funded entity is facing an existential struggle to remain relevant.

But to try and argue that it has jurisdiction over digital-only content such as Sean Plunket’s The Platform is absolute over-reach.

It is huge over-reach.