Racist comments against Māori have surged over the past six months.
That’s one of the findings of a new study for the Broadcasting Standards Authority on freedom of expression and its impact on Māori, Pacific, Asian, and Muslim communities in New Zealand.
Three-quarters or more of Māori, Pasifika, Asians and Muslims said they have been exposed to offensive, discriminatory or controversial views.
Chief executive Stacey Wood says the BSA is limited in what it can do to address discrimination and the expression of harmful statements.
“We do need better laws and regulations to regulate our media because our act as we’ve been saying for ages is extremely out of date but regulation alone is not going to solve this problem. We need more of a response at the community level as well,” she says.
