TVS breaches license condition with political content

Sydney community television station TVS has breached a licence condition after airing a programme that carried political content.

In February it aired an episode of 4WD TV, a programme about all things four wheeling.

But the media watchdog found that an advertorial-style segment included material by a candidate from the Outdoor Recreation Party, including verbal content and on-screen titles, but failed to clarify it was a political advertisement.

Narration claimed that governments intrude into outdoor recreational activites far more than they did in the past.

The episode also aired 6 weeks ahead of the NSW State Election.

TVS noted the programme was produced externally but conceded problems with an ingest volunteer and is addressing its training methods.

ACMA will monitor TVS to ensure it complies with license conditions.