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Home and Away too racy as G classification

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority had found the Seven Network has breached the ‘G’ classification rulings with three episodes of Home and Away earlier this year.

In episodes broadcast on 21st February, 23rd and 26th March, the storyline content and depiction was found to be of a ‘PG’ nature rather than the ‘G’ classification under which it airs.

The storyline in the March episodes involved Martha (Jodi Gordon) being coerced into pole-dancing by Cam (Ashley Lyons) against her will. She is shown in a crop top and short skirt to an audience of enthusiastic males. In another scene she is shown in a two piece leotard. Seven defended the depiction is being commonplace on dance floors and ballroom competitions.

ACMA disagreed.

It found the content excessive for a G classification, and as having more than a mild impact on children. It concluded that children watching unsupervised may be disturbed by the sexual exploitation of a woman by a man with whom she is romantically involved.

It also found that ten scenes on 21 February depicted a post-coital storyline between two teenagers. Half of these involved a direct discussion, in which a female character regretted having sex.

Seven will amend Home and Away to a default classification of PG as a result of the ACMA findings.

Episode synopses:

Monday March 26 Episode 4381
• The guys get more than their fair share of surprises on Peter’s bucks night.
• Kelli’s plans for Amanda are almost blown out of the water when a letter arrives from their mother.

Friday March 23 Episode 4380
• Martha falls into Cam’s trap and deeper into a darker world…
• Kelli resorts to near fatal measures to keep her plans under wraps…
• Kitty sacrifices her daughter’s happiness to save herself…

Wednesday February 21 Episode 4358
• A jealous Belle makes a hasty decision.
• Ethan continues to blackmail Amanda.
• Besotted, Lucas remains oblivious to Belle’s feelings for Drew.

5 Responses

  1. “Seven defended the depiction is being commonplace on dance floors and ballroom competitions”

    Seriously? That’s just, well, bizarre.

    In some 22 years of DJing in nightclubs, I have not yet seen pole dancing happen on the dance floor, and I doubt many ballroom audiences have either.

    Not that I have any problem with the content – surely by now ACMA realises that there’s hardly a parent in the country that gives a toss about classifications, and hardly a kid in the country who hasn’t already seen plenty of not-even-suitable-for-tv content by the time they’re 12 – but Seven’s defence sounds like that of a child caught shoplifting. “But mum, EVERYONE is doing it!” 🙂

  2. News isn’t subject to the same classification as drama. It’s all about context too. ie. the way the character felt about the situation was crucial.

  5. Big deal. The Simpsons and Neighbours FREQUENTLY surpass the G rating, and don’t get me started on Neighbours dropping the F bomb. 😛

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