STRONGER CODE OF PRACTICE FOR COMMERCIAL TV

2 July 2004
97/04

Loud advertisements will be restricted and children's privacy in news and current affairs reports strengthened under an updated commercial television industry Code of Practice approved by the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA).

I welcome the registration by the ABA of Free TV Australia's revised Code of Practice, which ensures that community standards continue to be reflected in commercial television programming.

The Code, registered following an extensive community consultation process, will help viewers to make informed choices about their own and their children's television viewing.

It strengthens requirements relating to the classification of program material, classification and placement of commercials, accuracy, fairness and respect for privacy in news and current affairs, time limits on non-program matter and complaints-handing by television stations.

In response to community concerns, Free TV Australia (formerly known as Commercial Television Australia) has also introduced a number of additional safeguards targeted at children.

For example, there are tighter restrictions on food and beverage advertising to children to help counter the problem of childhood obesity and regulation of news and current affairs stories in relation to children's privacy.

Consumer advice is now mandatory for all PG films and a licensee must supply consumer advice with any PG-classified program that contains material of a strength which parents or guardians of young children may not expect.

Important new requirements will also be introduced for commercial television licensees relating to disclosure of commercial arrangements in factual programming, to restrict the loudness of advertisements and for the broadcast of emergency information.

The revised Code reflects the Government's intention that high standards of community protection should apply to free-to-air television due to its accessibility and popularity.

The Code will be reviewed in three years.


Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373