ZB ZB
Opinion
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Kiwi listeners less tolerant of offensive language, survey shows

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 3 Feb 2026, 4:56pm

Kiwi listeners less tolerant of offensive language, survey shows

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 3 Feb 2026, 4:56pm

Kiwis are less keen to hear offensive language in broadcasting, according to new reports.

A BSA survey has found more than half of the words assessed are now seen as less acceptable in broadcasting than they were four years ago. 

The N-word and the C-word were considered unacceptable by the highest percentage of people. 

AUT Communication Studies lecturer Lewis Tennant says it seems that a lot of people object to the racism and sexism attached to those words. 

"The long-term trend for naughty words is still much more relaxed overall than over the past few decades."

LISTEN ABOVE

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you