Australian Media OrganisationsAustralian Ratings and Classifications

Why do we need to be regulated?

Who regulates Our Media?

•Television

•Films

•Radio

• Internet

Australian Communication and Media Authority(ACMA)

Film Television Radio

Office of Film and Literature Classification

(OFLC)

FreeTV Commercial RadioAustralia

Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC)

Every film and computer game has to be classified before it can be legally made available to the public. Some publications also need to be classified.

In 2007-2008 the Classification Board made decisions on:

-322 publications-383 films for public exhibition-4,673 videos or DVDs for sale or hire-961 computer games

Every Film and video game must be submitted to the OFLC for review by the Classification Board, who will decide on the Classification by Majority Vote.

The cost of a classification for an average 90 minute film is

$1830

The ActUnder the Act, each of the following matters must be taken into account in classifying films and computer games:

(a) the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults;

(b) the literary, artistic or educational merit (if any) of the publication, film or computer game;

(c) the general character of the publication, film or computer game, including whether it is of a medical, legal or scientific character;

(d) the persons or class of persons to or amongst whom it is published or is intended or likely to be published.

The CodeUnder the Code, classification decisions are to give effect, as far as possible, to the following principles:

(a) adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want; (b) minors should be protected from material likely to harm or disturb them;(c) everyone should be protected from exposure to unsolicited material that they find offensive;(d) the need to take account of community concerns about: (i) depictions that condone or incite violence, particularly sexual violence; and (ii) the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.

RC

Advisory Categories

G, PG and M are advisory categories. Advisory categories are not restricted to anyone. These classifications are recommendations only.

Restricted Categories

MA15+, R18+ and X18+ are legally restricted categories – in other words, there are laws regarding who can watch material classified MA 15+ and over.

Refused Classification

It is also possible for a film to be classified 'RC' (Refused Classification) – in other words, banned which means that it cannot legally be shown, sold or hired in Australia.

RC

Advisory Categories

G, PG and M are advisory categories. Advisory categories are not restricted to anyone. These classifications are recommendations only.

Restricted Categories

MA15+, R18+ and X18+ are legally restricted categories – in other words, there are laws regarding who can watch material classified MA 15+ and over.

Refused Classification

It is also possible for a film to be classified 'RC' (Refused Classification) – in other words, banned which means that it cannot legally be shown, sold or hired in Australia.

Video games have the same Classifications except there

is are no R 18+ / X 18+ Classifications

Three essential principles underlie the use of the Guidelines:

- the importance of context - assessing impact - the six classifiable elements

THEMES

NUDITY

VIOLENCE

SEX

LANGUAGE

DRUG USE

G - GENERAL

The G classification is for a general audience. However, it does not necessarily indicate that children will enjoy the film or computer game. Some G films and games contain themes, story-lines or game play that do not interest children.

The impact of the classifiable elements for material classified G should be very mild only.

PG- PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Material classified PG may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing or playing by persons under 15 without guidance from parents or guardians.

The impact of the classifiable elements for material classified PG should be no higher than mild.

M - MATURE

Material classified M is not recommended for persons under 15 years of age. There are no legal restrictions on access.

The impact of the classifiable elements for material classified M should be no higher than moderate.

MA 15+ MATURE ACCOMPANIED

Material classified MA 15+ is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category.

The impact of the classifiable elements for material classified M should be no higher than strong.

R 18+ RESTRICTED

Material classified R 18+ is legally restricted to adults. Some material classified R 18+ may be offensive to sections of the adult community.

The impact of the classifiable elements for material classified M should not exceed high.

X 18+ RESTRICTED

This classification is a special and legally restricted category which contains only sexually explicit material. That is material which contains real depictions of actual sexual intercourse and other sexual activity between consenting adults.

CONTAINS CONSENSUAL SEXUALLY EXPLICIT ACTIVITY (Restricted to adults 18 years and over*) *Available only for sale or hire in the ACT and Northern Territory.

RC - REFUSED CLASSIFICATION

Films that exceed the R 18+ and X 18+ classification categories will be Refused Classification. Computer games that exceed the MA 15+ classification category will be Refused Classification.RC

FreeTV Australia

Free TV is an industry body which represents all of Australia's commercial free-to-air television licencees.

The content of free-to-air commercial television is regulated under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice which has been developed by Free TV Australia and registered with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

Each broadcast day is divided into classification zones which are based on the majority audience normally viewing at that time, with particular regard to the child component of the audience.

Only material which is suitable for a particular classification zone is broadcast in that zone.

Weekdays

Weekends

There are seven Australian TV Classifications

These are set by the television stations themselves.

Films shown on TV may be changed to fit within the TV Classifications

C - CHILDREN

Material is intended for children or pre-schoolers.

Material classified C or P must satisfy the requirements of the Australian Broadcasting Authority’s Children’s Television Standards.

P - PRESCHOOLERS

G - GENERAL

G rated material is deemed suitable for general exhibition.

Material classified G is not necessarily intended for children but it must be very mild in impact and must not contain any matter likely to be unsuitable for children to watch without supervision.

PG - PARENTAL GUIDANCE RECOMMENDED

PG rated material recommends parental guidance for young viewers.

Material classified PG may contain careful presentations of adult themes or concepts but must be mild in impact and remain suitable for children to watch with supervision.

M - MATURE

M rated material is recommended for mature audiences.

Material classified M is recommended for viewing only by persons aged 15 years or over because of the matter it contains, or of the way this matter is treated.

MA - MATURE AUDIENCE

Material classified MA is suitable for viewing only by persons aged 15 years or over because of the intensity and/or frequency of sexual depictions, or coarse language, adult themes or drug use.

Material classified AV is suitable for viewing only by persons aged 15 years or over. It is unsuitable for MA classification because of the intensity and/or frequency of violence, or because violence is central to the theme.

AV - ADULT VIOLENCE

Commercial Radio Australia

Commercial Radio Australia Ltd is the national industry body representing Australia's commercial radio broadcasters.

The commercial radio industry has developed the Commercial Radio Codes of Practice. The Codes are registered by ACMA and are therefore binding on all commercial radio licensees.

Commercial Radio Codes of Practice

A licensee must not broadcast a program which:(a) is likely to incite, encourage or present for its own sake violence or brutality;(b) simulate news or events in such a way as to mislead or alarm listeners;(c) present as desirable: (i) the misuse of alcoholic liquor; or (ii) the use of illegal drugs, narcotics or tobacco.(d) depicts suicide favourably or presents suicide as a means of achieving a desired result; or(e)is likely to incite or perpetuate hatred against or vilify any person or group on the basis of age, ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual preference, religion or physical or mental disability.

Commercial Radio Codes of Practice

On a Top 40 Radio Station, Australian Artists must make up not less than:

25%of all music played.

(Of that, 25% must be new Australian music)