BSA probes new complaints against defiant Plunket

TL;DR

BSA accepted three complaints against The Platform's Sean Plunket from one complainant, including the original over Māori tikanga as "mumbo jumbo" and two new ones about personal criticism.
Plunket refuses to provide recordings or respond, rejecting BSA jurisdiction over online non-broadcasters.
Dispute accelerates government plans to scrap BSA and replace it with the Media Council.

The story at a glance

The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has opened an investigation into three complaints against Sean Plunket and his online outlet The Platform, all from the same person. Plunket says he will not cooperate and questions the BSA's authority over internet content. This comes after the BSA earlier ruled it has jurisdiction, prompting the government to fast-track media regulation changes.

Key points

Original complaint from July 2025 about Plunket calling Māori tikanga "mumbo jumbo" on live talkback.
Two new October complaints allege Plunket named the complainant, gave false descriptions like "lefty activist," repeated insults such as "plonker," and mocked him with a song.
BSA requested recordings by Wednesday end and formal response by May 4.
Plunket told BSA to subscribe to Platform+ for content and suggested the complainant needs rest after online attacks on him.
BSA chief executive Stacey Wood welcomes government push for platform-neutral regulation to replace the 1989-era body.
Media Minister Paul Goldsmith expects a decision on scrapping BSA in coming months, before the election.

Details and context

The complaints stem from Plunket's live online talkback, where he also discussed BSA jurisdiction and dismissed the complainant. The BSA, set up in 1989 for TV and radio, has stretched its rules to cover online "telecommunications" in a March decision on the first complaint.[[1]](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-broadcasting-standards-authority-v-the-platforms-sean-plunket-bsa-opens-investigation-into-new-complaints/premium/2EX5EY3DBBHYFKCSAZ7HBKWUIY/#Echobox=1776466616)[[2]](https://www.bsa.govt.nz/decisions/all-decisions/wk-and-the-platform-media-nz-ltd-and-nz-media-holdings-2023-ltd-id2025-063-31-march-2026)

Parties like NZ First and Act want the BSA gone, calling its online reach overreach. The overhaul aims for modern rules applying equally to all professional media platforms.

Plunket frames his stance as defending free speech for non-broadcasters.

Key quotes

Plunket on X: "We will not cooperate in any way with the BSA and do not recognise it has jurisdiction over us or any other non-broadcasters on the internet."[[1]](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-broadcasting-standards-authority-v-the-platforms-sean-plunket-bsa-opens-investigation-into-new-complaints/premium/2EX5EY3DBBHYFKCSAZ7HBKWUIY/#Echobox=1776466616)
Plunket to Media Insider: "The BSA can become a Platform+ subscriber and download any of our excellent content they want from the internet."[[1]](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-broadcasting-standards-authority-v-the-platforms-sean-plunket-bsa-opens-investigation-into-new-complaints/premium/2EX5EY3DBBHYFKCSAZ7HBKWUIY/#Echobox=1776466616)
Stacey Wood: "We’ve been saying [the Broadcasting Act needs to change] for 20 years."[[1]](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/media-insider-broadcasting-standards-authority-v-the-platforms-sean-plunket-bsa-opens-investigation-into-new-complaints/premium/2EX5EY3DBBHYFKCSAZ7HBKWUIY/#Echobox=1776466616)

Why it matters

This tests the reach of old broadcast rules into online media, raising free speech concerns amid calls to update regulation. It directly challenges independent online hosts like Plunket, who face potential penalties without traditional broadcaster status. Watch for Plunket's non-cooperation outcome and the government's BSA replacement decision in coming months.