New Zealand Media Council

The New Zealand Media Council is a non-governmental organisation which exists to uphold standards in the New Zealand media industry and promote freedom of speech in New Zealand. Founded in 1972 as the New Zealand Press Council, it is enabled to hear complaints against newspapers and other publications, particularly regarding allegations of bias and inaccuracy. It can order an offending publication to publish a summary of the Council's ruling, and will generally specify the prominence of the summary (for example, where in the newspaper).

The Council consists of an independent chair, five members representing the public, two representing the Newspaper Publishers’ Association, one representing magazine publishers, and two journalists who are appointed by the journalists’ union, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU). It is entirely funded by the print media industry.

In 2012, Peter Fa'afiu became its first public member of Pasifika descent.

In March 2013 the Law Commission proposed moving complaints about news and current affairs out of the jurisdiction of the Press Council, the Broadcasting Standards Authority and the Online Media Standards Authority, placing them under a proposed new body, the News Media Standards Authority.[1]

The Online Media Standards Authority did not last. The Press Council became the NZ Media Council and accepted complaints related to the online platforms of newspapers and magazines. It also now accepts bloggers seeking legitimacy by being a member of the Council.