Social media ranks as the primary platform for encountering offensive content, according to a recent survey involving New Zealand’s Pacific Peoples, Māori, Asian, and Muslim communities. The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) conducted the study titled “Freedom of Expression and Harms Impacting Diverse Communities,” which gathered responses from 493 individuals. The findings revealed that roughly one-third of Māori, Pasifika, and Muslim respondents reported exposure to offensive, discriminatory, or controversial material in the past six months.
The BSA report indicated that social media received the most criticism for harmful content, followed by free-to-air television and online news sites. Approximately half of the respondents from diverse communities stated they avoid certain broadcasts due to perceptions of racism, anti-Māori sentiments, biased coverage of the Palestine-Israel conflict, or derogatory references to individuals labeled as criminals or terrorists.
Stacey Wood, the BSA’s chief executive, commented that while the news media generally adheres to broadcasting standards, there is a broader societal challenge concerning social cohesion and kindness. The report highlighted the serious repercussions of publicly expressed offensive views, including the normalization of negative behavior, potential hindrance to community aspirations, and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, chief executive of the Pacific mental health organization Le Va, noted the detrimental effects of persistent negativity and discrimination on self-esteem and mental health. The survey also revealed that only a small minority felt New Zealand balances freedom of expression with harm adequately, while a majority believed that freedom of expression should be moderated to respect differing viewpoints.
A significant percentage of respondents—56% Māori, 60% Pasifika, 45% Asian, and 41% Muslim—advocated for stronger restrictions on freedom of expression to mitigate harm. Social media was pinpointed as the most common source of offensive content, with the report suggesting that mainstream media themes contribute to its legitimacy.
Wood emphasized the need for regulatory reform in social media, stating that the BSA has advocated for such changes for 15 years, noting that the current legislation is outdated. The BSA urged the New Zealand government to consider imposing regulations on online platforms to address the existing gaps.
Kingi-‘Ulu’ave highlighted the report as an accurate depiction of experiences within Pacific communities, stressing that politicians should refrain from promoting ideologies that could fuel hate speech or discrimination.
New Zealand’s Muslim community leader Anjum Nausheen Rahman expressed concerns over the proliferation of unregulated media posing as legitimate news sources, which often engage in discriminatory practices. Academic Malini Hayma pointed out the significant role of news media in shaping societal perceptions of diverse groups, advocating for greater representation and inclusivity within media narratives.
Despite recalling instances of offensive views, many respondents could not identify specific sources. The report cited Destiny Church as an example of inciting hostility, while reinforcing stereotypes concerning Māori and Pacific peoples, as well as highlighting biased reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Criticism arose from Jonathan Ayling, CEO of The Free Speech Union, regarding the BSA report’s implications for free speech, voicing concerns that it could lead to the censorship of unpopular views. He insisted that existing laws address violence-inciting speech and emphasized the importance of freedom of thought and expression.
While few respondents reported offensive views to the BSA, there is a call for a simplified process for complaints, as cultural norms within Pacific and Muslim communities often discourage filing formal grievances. Talking with family and friends was the most common response to offensive content, followed by lodging a complaint with the broadcaster or relevant governmental body.
Amidst these issues, governments worldwide are increasingly focusing on the regulation of social media platforms to protect users from harmful content, with various nations implementing new policies to enhance accountability among tech companies.