Australian Censorship Law Reviews

From time to time Government Agencies such as the OFLC, ACMA, and the Attorney General's Department, conduct reviews and call for public submissions. Groups from the Religious-Right are always use these opportunities to get their views across. You should as well! 

What follows is a list of some of the most recent reviews.

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Quick Links

Inquiry into the effectiveness of the broadcasting codes of practice - March 2007
Changes to internet and mobile content regulation - October 2007
Material That Advocates Terrorist Acts - May 2007
Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007 - May 2007
Reality Television - Dec 2006
ASTRA's Codes of Practice - Oct 2006
Advertising of unclassified material - Sep 2006
Simplifying the classification process for DVDs - Jun 2006

Inquiry into the effectiveness of the broadcasting codes of practice
Name: Senate Committee
Closing Date: Friday 2nd May 2008

Senate Committee set up by the Liberals Cory Bernardi following Gordon Ramsay's use of bad language in Channel Nine's KITCHEN NIGHTMARES.

More information, including details of the submissions received so far, can be found here.

Terms of Reference 
The Senate has referred the following matter to the Committee for inquiry and report by the 9 June 2008:

An examination into the effectiveness of the broadcasting codes of practice operating within the radio and television industry, with particular reference to:

The Committee invites written submissions from interested individuals and organisations, preferably in electronic form sent by email, to eca.sen@aph.gov.au. The email must include full postal address and contact details. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 2 May 2008.

Alternatively, submissions may be sent to The Secretary, Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts, PO Box 6100 Parliament House, CANBERRA ACT 2600, or faxed to 02 6277 5818.

Changes to internet and mobile content regulation
Name: Australian Communications and Media Authority
Closing Date: Friday 16th November 2007

ACMA media release 133/2007 
26 October 2007 

ACMA proposes changes to internet and mobile content regulation 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking comment on proposed changes to a number of legal instruments ahead of the introduction of a new regulatory framework for internet and mobile content in January 2008.

ACMA is seeking comments on three draft legal instruments: a new Restricted Access Systems Declaration, a draft amendment to the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (No.1) and a draft amendment to the Numbering Plan.

The proposed new Restricted Access Systems Declaration would, for the first time, combine regulation of access to age-restricted internet content hosted in Australia with that of mobile content and newer types of content – for example, live streamed content – under a single framework,

‘Both the community and providers of content should benefit from a uniform approach to managing access to age-restricted electronic content,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

‘In designing the Restricted Access Systems Declaration, ACMA has been guided by two key objectives in the legislation: the public interest in appropriately managing access to content to which age restrictions apply and avoiding the creation of excessive and unnecessary administrative overhead for businesses providing that content.’

The draft amendment to the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (No.1) would remove content-related provisions for mobile phones, which would be consolidated under the new regulatory framework.

ACMA is seeking the views of stakeholders in having the remaining customer protections in the Mobile Premium Services Self Regulatory Scheme, which address prices, terms and conditions for mobile premium services, covered by a consumer code.

Comment is also being sought on a draft amendment to the Numbering Plan that would require age restricted content delivered via premium SMS and MMS services to use numbers beginning with 195 and 196.

The proposed changes to these legal instruments follow the passage of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Act 2007 (Content Services Act). The Content Services Act creates a new Schedule 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA), which replaces the current online content regulatory framework in Schedule 5 of the BSA.

The new schedule commences on 20 January 2008 and provides for the prohibition of, and restriction of access to, certain classifications of content over a broad range of content services delivered over mobile devices and the Internet.

A copy of the discussion papers and draft instruments can be found at the ACMA website.

Submissions can be sent electronically by email to ACMA at: NewContentRegulation@acma.gov.au and should be addressed to the Manager, Education and Telephone Content Section. The closing date for comment is 5.00 pm on Friday 16 November 2007.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.

Backgrounder 

The Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Act 2007 (Content Services Act) received Royal Assent on 20 July 2007. The Act inserts a new Schedule 7 into the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) for the purpose of regulating all content services delivered via carriage services. Schedule 7 is anticipated to commence on 20 January 2008.

The main elements of the new content regulatory framework in Schedule 7 to the BSA are:

a prohibition on X18+ and RC content; 

a prohibition on R18+ content, unless it is subject to appropriate access restrictions; 

a new prohibition on MA15+ content, unless it is subject to appropriate access restrictions; 

providers of hosting services, live content services, link services and commercial content services to have in place access restrictions if providing R18+ and MA15+ content; 

‘take down’ or ‘access removal’ notices to remove access to content that is the subject of a complaint; 

and a co-regulatory approach that provides for the development of industry codes to address issues including the classification of content, procedures for handling complaints about content and increasing awareness of potential safety issues associated with the use of content services. 

Internet content is currently regulated under the Restricted Access Systems Declaration 1999 under clause 4(1) of Schedule 5 to the BSA. It prohibits content that is classified or likely to be classified by the Classification Board as RC or X18+ and establishes a restricted access regime for stored content classified or likely to be classified as R18+ content. This framework is supported by a co-regulatory arrangement with Internet Industry Codes of Practice which apply to internet service providers and internet content hosts.

Mobile premium services including premium rate SMS and MMS services and mobile content portals are regulated under the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (No.1) under subsection 99(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997. A mobile carriage service provider must not supply content classified as MA15+ or R18+ to a customer unless the customer has requested access and has been verified as at least 18 years old. Content classified as MA15+ or R18+ must not be supplied by premium SMS or MMS otherwise than on a number with the prefix 195 or 196.

Schedule 7 requires ACMA to undertake a range of work including:

developing a new restricted access systems declaration to regulate access to MA15+ content and R18+ content with an Australian connection; 

amend the premium services determination to remove the superseded access restrictions and designated prefix requirements; 

and vary the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 to allow the transfer of the designated prefix requirements from the mobile premium services determination.

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Australian Government
Australian Communications and Media Authority
ACMA media release 151/2007

21 December 2007 

New rules for age-restricted internet and mobile content 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has determined new rules that for the first time implement a uniform approach for restricting access to MA15+ and R18+ content accessed through the internet or by mobile phones.

The new Restricted Access Systems Declaration places obligations on all content service providers to check that individuals accessing restricted content provided in Australia are at least 15 years of age for MA15+ content or 18 years of age for R18+ content. The new rules, which come into effect on 20 January 2008, arise from legislation passed in July 2007.

Similar to previous obligations relating to stored content, the new rules provide that after receiving a complaint and investigating internet or mobile content, ACMA may require the content service provider to either remove the content or place the content behind specified access restrictions.

‘In developing these new content rules, ACMA was guided by its disposition to allow adults to continue to read, hear and see what they want, while protecting children from exposure to inappropriate content, regardless of the delivery mechanism,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

‘At the same time, ACMA has been conscious of avoiding unnecessary red tape for Australian businesses providing content,’

ACMA undertook extensive public consultation in developing the new rules. It carefully considered concerns that were raised about the application of the rules to new types of online services, such as user-generated content, and will continue to liaise and consult on these matters with industry.

ACMA also made two associated changes to other legal instruments.

Existing rules about mobile premium services have been amended to remove content-related provisions, as these will be covered by the new legislation; and 

The Telecommunications Numbering Plan has also been varied to ensure that requirements for the use of particular phone numbers to assist consumers in recognising age restricted content supplied by premium SMS and MMS continue to operate. These requirements have been removed from the mobile premium service rules by the amendment above. A copy of the new and amended legal instruments can be found on the ACMA website.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.

Backgrounder 

The Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Act 2007 (Content Services Act) received Royal Assent on 20 July 2007. The Act inserts a new Schedule 7 into the Broadcasting Act 1992 (BSA) for the purpose of regulating all content services delivered via carriage services (irrespective of the platform and whether they consist of user-generated content or otherwise). Schedule 7 will commence on 20 January 2008.

The main elements of the new content regulatory framework in Schedule 7 to the BSA are:

a prohibition on X18+ and RC content; 

a prohibition on R18+ content, unless it is subject to appropriate access restrictions; 

a new prohibition on commercial MA15+ content, unless it is subject to appropriate access restrictions;

providers of hosting services, live content services, link services and commercial content services to have in place access restrictions if providing R18+ and commercial MA15+ content; 

‘take down’, ‘service cessation’ and ‘link deletion’ notices to remove content or access to content that is the subject of a complaint; 

and a co-regulatory approach that provides for the development of industry codes to address issues including the classification of content, procedures for handling complaints about content and increasing awareness of potential safety issues associated with the use of content services. 

Internet content is currently regulated under the Restricted Access Systems Declaration 1999 under clause 4(1) of Schedule 5 to the BSA. It prohibits content that is classified or likely to be classified by the Classification Board as RC or X18+ and establishes a restricted access regime for stored content classified or likely to be classified as R18+ content. This framework is supported by a co-regulatory arrangement with internet industry codes of practice that apply to internet service providers and internet content hosts.

Mobile premium services including premium rate SMS and MMS services and mobile content portals are regulated under the Telecommunications Service Provider (Mobile Premium Services) Determination 2005 (No. 1) made under subsection 99(1) of the Telecommunications Act 1997. A mobile carriage service provider must not supply content classified as MA15+ or R18+ to a customer unless the customer has requested access and has been verified as at least 18 years old. Content classified as MA15+ or R18+ must not be supplied by premium SMS or MMS otherwise than on a number with the prefix 195 or 196.

Implementation of Schedule 7 required ACMA to:

develop a new restricted access systems declaration to regulate access to MA15+ content and R18+ content with an Australian connection; 

amend the mobile premium services determination to remove these access restrictions and designated prefix requirements that are made redundant by Schedule 7; and 

vary the Telecommunications Numbering Plan 1997 to allow the transfer of the designated prefix requirements from the mobile premium services determination.

Review: Material That Advocates Terrorist Acts.
Name: The Attorney-General
Closing Date: Tuesday 29 May 2007

The Attorney-General 
Philip Ruddock MP
Media Release 077/2007 
3 May 2007 

ACTION ON MATERIAL ADVOCATING TERRORISM

Community concern over material that advocates terrorism will be swiftly addressed through new laws, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today. 

A discussion paper on proposed laws has been released for public comment. The laws propose banning Australian publication of material advocating terrorist acts. 

“I am delighted that my State and Territory colleagues have agreed that the proposal can now be put out for public consultation,” Mr Ruddock said. 

“Terrorist acts are a specific and highly dangerous threat to Australian society and material which advocates people undertake such acts should not be available. I am pleased that we are now one step closer to getting this kind of material out of circulation. 

“I would like to thank my State and Territory colleagues for their fast response to my request to get this issue dealt with quickly . 

“In particular, I acknowledge the efforts of Margaret Keech, the Queensland Minister responsible for censorship, for securing the Queensland Government’s approval to release the discussion paper. 

“It is gratifying that the States and Territories have worked cooperatively and constructively with the Commonwealth and had quickly agreed to the proposal and process of public consultation. 

“I am committed to a fast resolution of this important issue,” Mr Ruddock said. 

The Material That Advocates Terrorist Acts Discussion Paper is available at www.ag.gov.au under ‘Classification’ and follow the links. Submissions are due to the Department by 29 May 2007.

A list of submissions can be found here.

Review: Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007
Name: Senate Inquiry
Closing Date: Monday 28th May 2007.

Inquiry into the provisions of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007

Information about the Inquiry
The Senate has referred the provisions of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Content Services) Bill 2007 to the Committee for inquiry and report by 12 June 2007.

The Committee invites written submissions from interested individuals and organisations preferably in electronic form sent by email to ecita.sen@aph.gov.au. The email must include full postal address and contact details.

Alternatively, submissions may be sent to The Secretary, Senate Environment, Communications Information Technology and the Arts Committee, PO Box 6100, Parliament House, CANBERRA ACT 2600, or faxed to 02 6277 5818.

Submissions must be received by no later than Monday, 28 May 2007, but you are encouraged to send your submission as soon as possible.

Submissions become committee documents and are made public only after a decision by the Committee. Persons making submissions must not release them without the approval of the Committee. Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the unauthorised release of them is not.

Inquiries from hearing and speech impaired people should be directed to the Parliament House TTY number (02) 6277 7799. Adobe also provides tools for the blind and visually impaired to access PDF documents. These tools are available at: http://access.adobe.com/. If you require any special arrangements in order to enable you to participate in a committee inquiry, please contact the committee secretary.

A list of submissions can be found here.

The June 2007 committee report can be found here.

Review: Reality Television
Name: Australian Communications and Media Authority
Closing Date: Thursday 1 February 2007.

Australian Government
Australian Communications and Media Authority
8 December 2006
MR 152/2006

ACMA invites public submissions as part of review of reality television programming

As part of its investigation into whether the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice provides appropriate community safeguards with respect to reality television programming, the Australian Communications and Media Authority has published a discussion paper outlining issues on which it seeks public comment.

Submissions are invited from interested parties on the questions presented in the discussion paper. These include:

does reality television programming raise issues of community concern? does the code reflect community standards with respect to reality television? are the existing code mechanisms operating effectively to provide appropriate community safeguards with respect to reality television programming, including with respect to classification distinctions and consumer advice requirements? does the code provide appropriate community safeguards with respect to the broadcast of reality television program excerpts in news and current affairs programs? is the complaints mechanism in the code operating effectively and in a timely manner in relation to reality television? The discussion paper is available on the ACMA website

The closing date for providing submissions is Thursday 1 February 2007. Instructions as to how to make submissions are provided in the discussion paper.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.

Backgrounder

Reality television review

Earlier this year, the Minister for Communications Information Technology and the Arts announced her intention to direct ACMA to review the operation of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice with respect to reality television programming, sector, following an incident in the Big Brother house earlier this year.

This investigation is being undertaken pursuant to a Direction from the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. The Broadcasting Services (Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice) Direction No. 1 of 2006 was issued pursuant to section 171 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

ACMA is required to provide the Minister with its final report and recommendations by 1 April 2007.

In tandem with the formal public consultation process, ACMA is also undertaking quantitative and qualitative research into community concerns with reality television programming, as well as liaising directly with industry stakeholders.

The code specifies that all material for broadcast, other than news, current affairs and sport, should be classified. It sets out the classification criteria, from G to MA, and the time zones for each classification criteria throughout the viewing day. The current code was registered in June 2004, and is due for review again commencing in June 2007.

Big Brother

Big Brother is a reality television program broadcast by Network Ten in which a group of participants share a house for approximately three months. The participants’ behaviour and interactions are captured by cameras 24/7.

The program includes a competitive element whereby viewers weekly vote out participants (known as "housemates") who have been nominated by their fellow participants. The final participant remaining in the house wins a cash prize.

In terms of material broadcast on television, Big Brother consists of a suite of programs broadcast in various classification zones, using different portions of the footage available.

As well as television content, Big Brother comprises other elements including a website through which material is streamed live from the Big Brother house, and content delivered via mobile phones.

The Big Brother series is broadcast "annually" by Network Ten. The 2006 series was its sixth season.

The Minister’s announcement on the review of the code relating to reality television followed advice from ACMA on an alleged incidence of sexual harassment in the Big Brother house, which was streamed live via the Big Brother website on 1 July 2006.

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Reality Television Review

ACMA has released a discussion paper on Reality Television Review

Submissions should be provided by Thursday 1 February 2007.

Electronic submissions should be emailed to realitytvreview@acma.gov.au. Alternatively, submissions may be mailed to:

Dr Sarah Strasser Special Projects Officer Codes, Content and Education Branch Australian Communications and Media Authority PO Box Q500 Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230

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ACMA.gov.au
Submissions to the Reality Television Review 

As at 12 February 2007, 184 submissions have been received in response to the Reality Television Review discussion paper. The submission numbers listed below reflect the order in which submissions were received by ACMA. Contact details have been removed from individuals’ submissions to protect privacy.

The list of submissions can be found here.

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Senator the Hon Helen Coonan 
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts 
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate 
Media Release 116/07 
Friday 24 August 2007 

Reality Television Review 

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today directed the Australian Communications and Media Authority's (ACMA) to release its Reality Television Review. 

Last year, concerns were raised about material which was shown on Channel Ten's Big Brother programme. 

Because of these concerns I directed ACMA to investigate whether the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice (the Code) was providing appropriate community safeguards for reality television on free-to-air TV.

Senator Coonan said although the Code and current regulatory arrangements were found to be broadly effective, a number of matters have been raised in the Report which require action. 

These recommendations ask industry to include in the Code provisions which will guard against the demeaning portrayal of contestants. The research confirmed that many people are concerned about the way in which vulnerable contestants can be exploited in a reality show context for entertainment purposes.

ACMA also recommends that broadcasters accept emailed complaints from viewers and liaise more closely with ACMA in relation to the volume and types of complaints received. ACMA will also be monitoring closely MA classified reality programmes, and those shows that have attracted particular attention, for potential Code breaches. Further, ACMA is proposing to seek voluntary undertakings from broadcasters planning to broadcast a reality television program classified MA. This would enable a streamlined investigations process to occur quickly should community concern arise. Senator Coonan said the ACMA recommendations represent an important step forward in ensuring that the Code deals with the challenges presented by the reality television genre. 

Fortunately the Code is currently under review, so I have written to the Chair of ACMA, Chris Chapman and the CEO of Free TV Australia, Julie Flynn to request that ACMA�fs recommendations in relation to reality TV are considered, Senator Coonan said.  

Reality Television Review 
ACMA Recommendations

Recommendation 

1: That a clause be included in the Code that prohibits the broadcast of material presenting participants in reality television programs in a highly demeaning or exploitative manner. This provision should be supported by an advisory note to the Code that provides guidance to program producers on the interpretation of this provision. Recommendation 

2: That the complaints handling procedures in the Code be enhanced to expedite the process for handling complaints, and increase viewers�f awareness of the process as follows:

licensees accept electronic complaints via their website, and take steps to promote this process; 

a licensee is to report to ACMA within three days of observing any significant spikes in viewer complaints about a Code matter regarding a particular reality television program, to alert ACMA, as the regulator, to emerging issues of concern; and

Free TV Australia Limited (Free TV) to provide ACMA with a monthly report on Code complaints, containing sufficient detail to enable ACMA to analyse complaints trends on an ongoing and timely basis. Recommendation 

3: That the Television Classification Guidelines for MA-classified material set out in Appendix 4 of the Code be amended to clarify the limit of material permitted at the MA classification level, by: 

including specific advice in relation to sexual references at the MA level;

 and including cumulative intensity as an element to be considered in classifying material at the MA level. 

In addition to these recommendations, ACMA proposes to undertake the following actions, which include: 

undertake analysis of the additional complaints data supplied by Free TV in accordance with Recommendation 2, monitor complaints trends for both reality television and other forms of programming and publish information on these trends periodically.

if a commercial television licensee plans to broadcast an MA-classified reality television program, seek voluntary undertakings (similar to those given to ACMA by Network Ten for the 2006 series of Big Brother Adults Only) in relation to that program. ACMA would monitor the broadcast of such a program, including the adoption as part of the undertakings of a streamlined investigations process to enable timely consideration of any issues arising from the program.

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ACMA.gov.au
Reality Television Review 
Final Report

ACMA has investigated whether the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice reflects community standards regarding reality television programming in the free-to-air commercial television sector and whether it provides appropriate community safeguards with respect to reality television.

The review was undertaken pursuant to a Direction from the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. ACMA provided the Minister with its final report and recommendations by 1 April 2007, as required.

The full text of the report is available below.

In undertaking the review ACMA had regard to data and views gathered through:

quantitative research, including analysis of ratings data and results of a national survey, and qualitative research, including analysis of public submissions, responses from a series of focus groups and industry consultation. For more information see:

Media release: Review of commercial television code for reality programming (7 Nov 2006) Public consultation ACMA released a discussion paper in December 2006.

Discussion paper: Reality Television Review (353kb) Submissions closed 1 February 2007.

For more information see:

Media release: ACMA invites public submissions as part of review of reality television programming (8 Dec 2006) Final report ACMA has now released its final report.

The report may be downloaded in two parts:

Volume 1: Final Report (101 pages; 520 KB) 
Volume 2: Appendixes (399 pages; 2,558 KB)

Review: ASTRA's Codes of Practice
Name: Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA)
Closing Date: 13 October 2006.

ASTRA's Codes of Practice
Codes Review: Public Comment Sought

Under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, each broadcasting sector is required to develop Codes of practice and provide an opportunity for public comment. There are four ASTRA Codes of practice to be reviewed which cover subscription television & radio and open narrowcasting television.

Your comment is invited on the Codes and any proposed changes.

Submissions should reach ASTRA by 5.00pm Friday 13 October 2006.

The Codes for which comment is sought are:

Subscription Broadcast Television Code
Open Narrowcast Television Code
Subscription Narrowcast Television Code
Subscripton Narrowcast Radio Code
Subscription Broadcast Television Code

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The new codes of practice were eventually released in June 2007.

Australian Government
Australian Communications and Media Authority
MR 74/2007
27 June 2007
ACMA registers new codes of practice for subscription television and radio services and open narrowcast radio services
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has registered new codes of practice for subscription broadcasting television, subscription narrowcasting television, subscription narrowcasting radio and open narrowcasting radio services.

During 2006-07, the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association reviewed the codes for subscription broadcasting television, subscription narrowcasting television, open narrowcasting television and subscription narrowcasting radio services and the Australian Narrowcast Radio Association reviewed the code for open narrowcasting radio services.

Public consultation on the draft codes took place during September and October 2006.

In response to public comment, ASTRA and ANRA have amended the codes to extend the grounds for vilification to include transgender status and HIV/AIDS status.

The subscription broadcasting television and subscription narrowcasting television codes have also been updated to take into account new classification guidelines that came into effect in May 2005. In addition, ASTRA has incorporated a requirement into the subscription broadcasting television code that advertisements must comply with the Australian Association of National Advertisers Code for Advertising to Children and the Australian Association of National Advertisers Food and Beverages Advertising and Marketing Communications Code.

It is to be noted that a comprehensive examination of the issue of food and beverage advertising to children is currently being undertaken by ACMA as part of the review of the Children’s Television Standards, the issues paper concerning which was released yesterday.

The registration of a new code for open narrowcasting television has been put on hold to allow ASTRA to consider a late submission from the National Indigenous Television Service. The National Indigenous Television Service was incorporated in December 2006 and plans to launch a new content service later this year.

The new codes of practice are available below.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7980.

Backgrounder
Under s 123 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act) industry groups representing the broadcasting industries develop and review their codes of practice in consultation with ACMA.

Consultation takes place with the public and industry which allows community concerns to be identified and evaluated. At the end of the review process, ACMA includes a code in its Register of Codes of Practice if it meets the legislative criteria specified in section 123(4) of the Act namely that:

the code provides appropriate community safeguards for the matters it covers;
the code is endorsed by a majority of the providers of broadcasting services in the relevant industry sector; and
there has been adequate public consultation on the code.
The codes of practice for subscription and narrowcasting services have been in place since 1997 and are reviewed every three years. ACMA receives very few complaints about subscription and narrowcasting services.

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Australian Subcription Television and Radio Association
MEDIA RELEASE 
27 June 2007 
ASTRA Codes of Practice registered by ACMA 

The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) welcomed the registration of the revised industry Codes of Practice for subscription television and radio services by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The ASTRA codes are reviewed every three years. As part of the review and in response to public consultation, the revised codes incorporate new Australian Association of National Advertisers Codes, reflect the amended classification guidelines and extend the grounds for vilification to include transgender status and HIV/AIDS status. 

The revised Subscription Television Broadcast Code, Subscription Narrowcast Television Code and the Subscription Narrowcast Radio Code are available on ASTRA’s website at www.astra.org.au/codes. 

ENDS 

About ASTRA ASTRA represents the major subscription television providers AUSTAR, FOXTEL & OPTUS and the many channels that provide services on these platforms. 

Review: Advertising of unclassified material
Name: Attorney General's Department
Closing Date: 18 September 2006.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL THE HON PHILIP RUDDOCK MP 
NEWS RELEASE 
28 August 2006 162/2006 

REVIEW OF ADVERTISING OF UNCLASSIFIED MATERIAL 

The Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, today released a discussion paper on the advertising provisions for unclassified material within the National Classification Scheme. 

“The climate for advertising films and computer games has significantly changed with emerging technologies, such as DVDs and the Internet, and the increasing risk of piracy,” Mr Ruddock said. 

“In order to be internationally competitive, industry can no longer afford to stagger release dates across the globe.” 

The discussion paper proposes to remove the current prohibition on advertising unclassified material. This would allow advertising in advance of classification for cinema-release films, DVDs, videos and computer games. 

A broad range of safeguards will be implemented to ensure consumers can make informed choices and are not exposed to inappropriate material.

“The proposed reforms should balance the need to inform and protect consumers with the need to reduce the regulatory burden on industry,” Mr Ruddock said. 

The discussion paper is available at www.ag.gov.au under the heading Current Issues. Submissions can be made to the Attorney-General’s Department until 18 September 2006. 

Review: Simplifying the classification process for DVDs
Name: Attorney General's Department
Closing Date: 21 July 2006.

The Attorney-General
Phillip Ruddock
Media Release 115/2006 
22 June 2006 

SIMPLIFYING THE CLASSIFICATION PROCESS FOR DVDs

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today released a discussion paper on proposals aimed at simplifying the classification process for DVDs. 

The proposed reforms would allow trained, industry-based assessors to consider additional material often included on DVDs and make recommendations to the Classification Board on appropriate classifications.

Ultimately, the final decision on appropriate classification would remain with the Classification Board but the process would significantly reduce the regulatory burden on business. 

“Currently, additional features such as bloopers, deleted scenes and biographies on DVDs require fresh classification by the Classification Board – a process which can be cumbersome and costly for industry,” Mr Ruddock said. 

“The new model is based on the current arrangements for computer games which have been working effectively for more than a decade and I am confident it will maintain the integrity of the classification scheme.”

Submissions may be made to the Attorney-General’s Department until 21 July 2006. The discussion paper is available at www.ag.gov.au 

Simplifying the classification of DVDs: discussion paper - June 2006

   http://www.refused-classification.com

refusedclassification@gmail.com