Free TV Australia is proposing to relax classification timezones around M rated content during daytimes.
Under a new draft for the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, Free TV is proposing to expand the daytime hours for M rated content.
Currently M rated content can screen from 7:30pm – 6am and 12 – 3pm on school days.
But the new proposal will widen the daytime to 10am – 3pm regardless of school days or weekends.
This means broadcasters will not have to observe the variations in school holiday dates from state to state but it potentially means children could inadvertently witness M rated content during the day where they are not supervised.
Amongst the other Code changes proposed:
A commercial for a film, DVD or computer game will no longer need to carry the Classification as deemed by the Australian Classification Board.
When broadcasting a news or Current Affairs Program, warnings as appropriate must be given before a segment if the content is likely to seriously distress or seriously offend a substantial number of viewers, but this no longer needs to be a spoken warning.
There are also changes to the way Complaints may be lodged, with all broadcasters required to link to the Free TV complaints page. Viewers will be able to write to networks for complaints or lodge an eletronic complaint via Free TV Australia.
Free TV has not at this stage reviewed the Code provisions with respect to gambling advertising until the Government has finalised its review of gambling advertising and related matters.
Free TV Australia is currently seeking public feedback on the updated draft Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice.
Free TV CEO Bridget Fair said, “The Free TV Code of Practice provides robust safeguards in accordance with community standards in areas such as program classification, accuracy and impartiality in news, placement of commercials and program promotions and advertising time limits. The Code assists viewers in making informed choices about their own television viewing and that of the children in their care, and provides effective mechanisms for receiving and handling viewer feedback and complaints.
Free TV has updated the Code in the following key respects:
Simplifying our M-zone classification times, to better align with the codes of practice of other television broadcasters
Strengthening and increasing timeliness of corrections and clarifications of errors of fact in news and current affairs programs
Enhancing the delivery of warnings during high impact news reporting
Making it easier to lodge a complaint online
Removing outdated references and modernising the language in the Code.
“These changes will ensure that the Code remains in line with community standards and continues to operate effectively well into the future. Commercial television broadcasters in Australia are some of the most highly-regulated content platforms, and have a strong track record of compliance with the Code provisions,” Ms Fair said.
“The community expects commercial television broadcasters to deliver content that that is safe, entertaining and informative, while also empowering Australians to make choices about what they and their families watch. They also expect accurate and impartial news journalism and current affairs that brings public interest stories to light, while also balancing fairness to individuals. That is exactly what the Code achieves.”
The public is invited to provide feedback by email, electronic form or post. Public consultation will close on 11 November 2024. For further information, see Free TV’s Code Review website.
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