New Rules for News in New Zealand

May 11, 2026, 18:00
New ZealandPolitics

Introduction

The New Zealand government wants to change how it controls the news and radio.

Main Body

The government will stop the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Now, news companies will make their own rules. The Media Council will help. But the Media Council has no legal power to punish people. Some leaders want to change the boards of TVNZ and RNZ. This happened because some journalists and leaders are angry. Some people think the government wants to control the news too much. Old laws did not work for the internet. The government wants to remove old rules. But some people are worried. They think there will be more fake news without strong rules.

Conclusion

New Zealand is moving to a system where news companies control themselves.

Learning

⚡ THE 'WILL' POWER

In this text, we see a pattern for talking about the future. When the government decides something will happen, we use will.

The Pattern: Person/Group → will → Action

Examples from the news:

  • The government → will stop the Authority.
  • News companies → will make their own rules.
  • There → will be more fake news.

💡 QUICK TIPS

  1. No Changes: Unlike other words, will never changes. It is the same for I, You, He, She, We, and They.
  2. Simple Future: Use this when you are sure about a future fact or a decision.

Compare:

  • Present: They make rules. (They do it now)
  • Future: They will make rules. (They do it later)

Vocabulary Learning

rule (n.)
A rule is a rule that tells people what they can or cannot do.
Example:The school has a rule that students must wear uniforms.
control (v.)
To control means to manage or direct something.
Example:The manager will control the budget for the new project.
authority (n.)
An authority is a person or organization that has the power to make decisions.
Example:The police are the authority that keeps the streets safe.
media (n.)
Media are the ways people share information, like TV, radio, and the internet.
Example:The media reported on the new law during the evening news.
journalist (n.)
A journalist writes or reports news for newspapers, TV, or the internet.
Example:The journalist interviewed the mayor about the new policy.
internet (n.)
The internet is a worldwide network that lets people send and receive information.
Example:She found the article on the internet in just a few seconds.
fake (adj.)
Fake means not real or made to look real but is actually false.
Example:The news story was fake and caused confusion among readers.
system (n.)
A system is a set of connected parts that work together.
Example:The new system helps the company track orders more easily.