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ACMA launches investigation into Nine pokies comments

ACMA is now investigating a complaint that Nine broadcast political material without adequately identifying it during NRL broadcasts.

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The industry watchdog has confirmed that it is investigating a complaint that Channel Nine broadcast political material without adequately identifying it during the NRL First Preliminary Final.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation follows stories in the media that NRL commentators Ray Warren and Phil Gould made statements on the Gillard Government’s pokie reforms. Senator Nick Xenophon and fellow independent Andrew Wilkie have made formal complaints to Nine. Both had warned of taking the matter to ACMA.

Political material must carry a statement advising on whose behalf the material had been broadcast (e.g. “written and authorised by XX on behalf of YY”).

Today there are conflicting reports on whether the statements were “purely the opinions of the commentators” or a “directive from up top.”

The Broadcasting Services Act also requires that where political matter is broadcast at the request of another person, the broadcaster must keep a record of that person or company.

Because the complaint relates to a licence condition, rather than to a code clause, it didn’t need to go via Nine first.

If Nine is found to have breached its license condition ACMA may accept an enforceable undertaking by way of a fine, require remedial action to ensure there are not further breaches, impose an additional licence condition, or even suspend or cancel the broadcasting licence altogether.

  • Tagged with NRL

16 Responses

  1. Nick Xenaphon is a Hippocrite, he Abused his parlimentary power to rat out a Priest (who is under investigation) ..and is now Crying crocodile tears when Rabs/Gus spoke out against his/Wilkie’s idea!.

    ..Here’s a remote control Xenaphon/Wilki, don’t like what’s on change the channel!

  2. How the hell is this any different(except it is not as bad)as the constant bombarding of misinformation favouring the proposed Carbon Tax grab that we are fed every day on every network, you would think the Labor Party owned the 7PM report with the leftist opinions of Comrade Pickering and Dipsy boarding on farcical.

  3. So…in about 18 months they’ll put out a press release saying Nine have been reprimanded and they’ve been very, very naughty.

    And life will go on, and ACMA can pretend they’re relevant…

  5. Wait, what…? Channel Nine might be forced off the air for 24 hours? Would they at least get to broadcast a test pattern? Because I’ve often I’d rather watch… 😉

  6. Does ACMA administer the Act or just it’s own code of conduct? They should be taken off the air for 24 hours. Then they might think twice next time.

  8. david what do you mean by suspend or cancel the broadcasting licence altogether?
    Does that mean what i think it means david, that channel 9 might lose the NRL rights!!!!

  9. Apparently a graphic came up on screen at the same time, with a website link. And ch 9 are arguing that it was a spontaneous expression of a personal viewpoint? Give me a break. They either did it as a “favour” or they were paid by the clubs to say it. However, ACMA is spineless so I don’t expect much will come of it.

  10. Penalty – No broadcasting for 24 hrs – as the old ABCB imposed on TVT6 once for exceeding advertising time limits.
    And pigs may fly.
    When can we expect an announcement from ACMA on this? 2013?

  14. So much for free speech…Xenophon, Wilkie et al can make any comment they like under the veil of privilege, good on Rabbit’s and the boys for having their, or their managements say; at least it gives a countering view to the ridiculous ideas that as usual protect the lowest common denominator (in this case problem gamblers) rather than the “normal” majority.

  15. “or even suspend or cancel the broadcasting licence altogether”. Go on ACMA…do it.

    We all know it’s just gonna be a warning. ACMA are just as dodgy as Nine. This is their chance to finally make a statement and take action. Will they? Prob not.

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