Code of Practice review seeks comment
If you've ever wanted your say on the Code of Practice used by our big three FTA networks, here's your chance.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
If you’ve ever wanted to have your say on the Code of Practice used by our big three FTA networks, here’s your chance.
Free TV Australia, the body run by Seven, Nine and TEN, is conducting a review of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice (the Code) and is seeking public comment.
The Code covers a wide range of issues including classification of program material, accuracy and fairness in news and current affairs, time limits on non-program matter (advertisements and promotions), classification and placement of commercials and complaints-handling by the stations.
“Commercial television stations take their responsibilities under the Code very seriously and are committed to the public review process by which we ensure the Code reflects community standards,” said Free TV Australia Chief Executive Officer, Julie Flynn.
The closing date for the tri-annual review is 5pm 25 September 2009 and submissions may be sent to:
44 Avenue Road, Mosman NSW 2088
Fax to (02) 9969 3520
[email protected]
21 Responses
I assume that everyone here who has put forward their thoughts about what to update in the code of practice have now send an email with those thoughts and ideas as per the email address in the story?
Now is your chance to be heard and hopefully have some action as opposed to simply commenting on websites like this (well nothing wrong with commenting here, but why not be heard and send an email to addresas in the story)
from the freetv websites code of practice pdf.
“Hourly Limits
5.6 On any day each licensee may in each hour schedule on average no more than the
following amounts of non-program matter:
5.6.1 between 6.00pm and midnight outside election periods, 13 minutes ”
Which i guess “non-program matter” means ads, im sure shows such as underbelly have been screened with more then 13 minutes of ads (and thats not including ads for other channel 9 programs which are not include in the 13 minutes which are allow now) or have i got it wrong and underbelly goes longer then a normal show or have channel 9 include more of their own channel 9 ads which they are allowed to but as far as i remember channel 9 really didn’t push alot of other shows when i was watching underbelly because im sure they include another 8-10mins of more “non-program matter”/Ads into it, and thats why it when from 8:45-9:55 on night(and thats just a guess on times) but im sure it was something like that.
I’m against phone sex ads in G or PG rated programming (regardless of timezone). It’s ridiculous when a perfectly family-friendly show in a late-night slot is bombarded with filthy, and at times, surprisingly explicit sex ads. Those sorts of ads should only be permitted during shows rated M or higher (though I’m not encouraging it :P).
@ VMan
So called “boob shots” are permitted under the PG rating. And bear in mind that the whole “naughty factor” of said shots would be significantly mitigated for the 50% or so of the population that bear those particular anatomical parts. Considering that the M rating can accommodate a fair amount of full frontal nudity, I don’t believe that a few breast shots would come anywhere close to breaching the constraints of the 8.30pm timeslot.
@ Someone BBBA
That’s good news regarding the amendment of current guidelines (though I don’t think this would stop Ten from censoring Californication). Regarding The Simpsons, Ten also butchers a lot of PG rated episodes (even where it is completely unwarranted). Last Wednesday’s new episode had at least 3 edits, >:( and at least 5 other episodes this season have also been censored to one degree or another.
Oh and David how about some editorial on this? There isnt much commentary in this article so will you tell us how it is from your point of view?
I don’t think the Code covers program credits, because I would have suggested that credits at the end of each program or movie must be shown in full and in normal speed (i.e. networks cannot show the titles in double speed so they finish quickly). As far as I know, when Star Wars movies are on TV, the credits go for 4-5 minutes.
All those boob shots in Underbelly…I’m sorry but if that complies with the standards for an 8.30 timeslot then something is seriously wrong.
My problem is mostly with advertising. the late night stuff isnt sexy its offensive and smutty. They use impied sex slaves and teenagers as objects.
Its also an idiot tax, taxing idiots without them getting out of their chairs. In a time with an ecconomic crisis money spent on this is down the drain. This could be argued for all the ringtone stuff too. People starving in the next country and we say its tough for us? All the money spent on virtualy nothing in ringtones and partial nudity animated gifs is a sad indictment of our culture.
I suspect FreeTv Australia just want to do the minumum of consultation to get some more sliding into the gutter ammendments through without us noticing. I think self regulation is the biggest joke in the industry.
I encourage all who believe in not censoring TV to add there comments, you can bet your life that right wing christian groups such as Saltshakers and the Australian Family Association will get there members to send emails asking for tighter broadcasting rules covering sex, language etc etc
Daniel, Channel 10 always keep their EPG as accurate as possible, and it’s usually correct to the minute.
Free TV Australia actually have an amended, proposed code available on their website. I suggest anyone interested in responding should at least have a read of their Explanatory Note, which summarises the major proposed changes.
I am pleased to announce that the clause which prevents the detailed depiction of intimate sexual behaviour at the MA level has now been amended to read: “visual depiction of intimate sexual behaviour may contain detail but the impact shall not be high”. This amendment should effectively bring the section of the code into line the the Classification Board’s code, and by extension the codes employed by the ABC and SBS. Previously, the commercial networks were only allowed to show certain higher-end MA level sex scenes if they were included in films. This often meant that television programs which were rated MA on DVD could not be aired on commercial television.
Of course, there are still other inconsistencies between the codes, and I would favour a complete overhaul of the code to bring it completely into line with the Classification Board code. I will be recommending this as a best-case scenario in my submission and implore anyone else to do the same. Another issue I will be raising is the fact that the networks are currently not allowed to air PG rated material between 6:00 and 7:00 PM on weeknights. I find it quite frustrating that Channel 10 are forced to edit The Simpsons and dumb down Neighbours when Seven and Nine air news and current affairs programs which are not subject to the same regulations.
Remember though, this new code must be approved by ACMA before it can come into effect. Therefore, your support is necessary.
Personal opinion (as people have stated before me), shows that have been advertised to start at a particular time should start at that time. It bugs me when shows like Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation run almost 10 minutes over their timeslot for no aparent reason. The only exceptions I’d give to this rule are 1) live news events where unforeseen circumstances lead to over-runs and 2) live sporting events going into overtime or being delayed.
Phone sex ads – I have nothing against pornography in general. But it should not interupt a television show I am trying to watch.
Those mobile phone subscription scams – The more the networks advertise them, the more people are going to get scammed. So don’t run scam advertisements
Evangelical American preachers on late night tv asking for donations- I assume this is to meet religious programming quota. It is horrible.
Quizmania shows – horrible content when all networks had them. Squeezed out quality late night programming for cheap scam show.
Is it worth arguing for M rated shows to begin from 8pm instead of 8.30 (thus making scheduling for shows starting on the hour a lot easier and more convenient)?
Or is that up to ACMA?
CT: I know something thats worse, those programs like GSE, Living The Good Life etc. that are advertorial in content, yet don’t disclaim who else they are advertising at the end, other than the sponsors who pay the station megabucks, give free cars to promote their product…
Also a minimum quality local content (that is produced in that city, not advertorial and non news) quota would be nice.
Its a big joke and they know it. “Self Regulation” is a scam. If they cared about our country they would impose junkfood bans in kids shows and get rid of those awful naked Russian slaves on your mobile ads. They keep chipping away at program content by putting ads in everywhere like someone suggested in loopholes beyond the huge ammount allowed.
Im with Benno, that is the utmost important thing. Shows should run to time so accurately that i could set my watch to it.
Then followed by promos and such that distract from the program or worse obscure important bits like subtitles.
I vote for actually fast tracking overseas programs and airing them here within 24 hours of their original U.S airing. If they can do it with the Ellen talk show, what’s the big problem with Lost, Grey’s or Housewives?
Thanks for this David.
Already a few posters here have hit the nail on the head – late starting,cross promotion stories,advertorials and now the “joke on Seven that Sally Williams,Neil Crompton, PeteBlasina are all bringing us exciting new ideas under one banner (smells like just another way of saying “heres an ad…
How about removing the loophole where ‘superimposed’ messages like pop- ups, squeezeback promos, coming up next straps, coomercial pullthroughs, and the holy of holies, bugs/watermarks are removed from being exempt for the counting of hourly content quotas. Only the 10″ LFS (lower frame super) graphic screened at the return of a break should be exempt showing the network logo, program title, and classification. It is the constant and ever-increasing amount of on-screen clutter/graffiti/garbage that has driven me and many others away from Australian FTA viewing and sourcing content elsewhere. We are sick of being treated as marketng targets instead of being treated as the viewers we once were. And whilst we are at it, how can an informercial, which is dressed up as a program be allowed to escape being a 30 minute ad or 5 minute advertiorial? They are plain and simple 30 minute and or 5 minute TV commercials, and not program content. Ah, enough said for now, I need a lie down and a bex.
Good! Now is our chance to voice many of our concerns we raise on websites like this directly to them.
Sure, i’ve got one.
Whatever they advertise as the start time for shows, that is when it airs. No iffs, no butts, on time. Period.
It doesn’t matter if they only update their EPG if their print guide is inaccurate. On time means on time.