14th September, 2009
GLYNIS QUINLAN

The f-word is used 80 times in one 45-minute episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares screened at 8.30pm on Channel Nine (March 2008); a woman is raped during an episode of Channel Nine's Underbelly also screened at 8.30pm (March 2008); Channel Ten's Californication, billed as the 'filthiest show on television', is screened at 9.45pm but promoted to children watching Australian Idol in an earlier timeslot (late 2007); PG programs frequently include couples in bed together and increasing levels of violence...

There wouldn't be a parent in Australia who is happy with the standard of content on commercial television screens. Sex, violence and foul language are almost normal fare these days as TV networks continue to push the boundaries of what's acceptable as part of their all-consuming quest for ratings.

It probably comes as little surprise that now they want to make things even worse.

Their representative body, Free TV Australia, is doing a review of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice and surprise, surprise, most of their proposals aren't good. Not only do they want to make it easier to promote and broadcast programs full of smut and violence, but they want to stifle complaints from people who don't like it.

But can we do anything about it? Yes, we can and we need to. We have a rare opportunity to have a say - but only up until 25th September. The last wholesale review of the code was back in 2003, so it is vitally important that we make our voice heard while we have the chance.

What are the issues?
Free TV Australia has invited the public to comment on the new draft of the Code of Practice they have put together. The Code of Practice covers matters relating to program content that are of concern to the community such as program classifications, advertising time on television, complaints handling and accuracy in news and current affairs.

A close look at the proposed Code reveals seven main issues we need to voice our concerns on if we want the standards displayed on our television screens to get better, not worse. They are:

1. Better classification guidelines needed
The ever-increasing levels of sex and violence on TV aren't acceptable. Whole generations are becoming desensitised to grisly murders and lurid sex scenes because TV classification guidelines aren't tough enough. The new TV Code of Practice needs to be rid of all the vague phrases - or 'wriggle-room' - in the classification guidelines which broadcasters are using to justify screening inappropriate content on artistic or 'storyline' grounds. These need to be replaced with clear instructions putting strong and appropriate limits on sex, violence, drug use and the like.

Examples of phrases which need to be replaced with firmer guidelines include: “All violence shown must be mild in impact” (PG rating); “The use of legal drugs must be handled with care” (PG rating); “Visual depiction of nudity must be justified by the story line or program context” (M rating); “Intense themes should be handled with care” (M rating); “Realistic depictions [of violence] may contain some detail, but should not be prolonged and should not be unduly bloody or horrific” (AV rating).

What to do? Let Free TV Australia know that the current levels of sex and violence on TV aren't acceptable. Ask them to strengthen the classification guidelines so that they set clear and specific limits.

2. Hang on to kids' viewing times
The commercial TV stations are trying to change the Code of Practice to allow PG programs to be screened at any time on their new digital multi-channels (which everyone has to switch over to by 2013). If this happens it would mean there would be NO set time of the day when commercial stations had to screen G-rated programs - representing a big deterioration in standards. We already have the problem of PG-rated programs containing greater levels of sex and violence. Do we want parents to NEVER have a guaranteed time when they know they can let young kids watch TV?

What to do? Ask Free TV Australia to make sure the current G-rated programming periods on TV continue to apply to free-to-air digital multi-channels. Tell them parents need to know their kids can watch TV before and after school, or early on weekends, without encountering problem material!

3. Don't promote smut and violence to kids
Free TV Australia is trying to extend the times when MA programs can be advertised. This would mean that more young people would be attracted by promotions to watch programs which can have intense and frequent sexual depictions, coarse language, adult themes or drug use. Previously MA program promotions could not be aired between 5am and 7:30pm. Under the proposed changes they could be broadcast at any time of the day, except if C (children's) or P (pre-school) rated programs are being shown. That means kids watching G or PG-rated programs could be seeing advertisements for programs like Californication!

What to do? Let Free TV Australia know that you're totally opposed to this proposal and instead want to see greater restrictions on the promotion of M, MA and AV programs at times when children may be watching TV. Tell them you think MA and AV programs should only be promoted after 8.30pm and M-rated programs should only be promoted after 7.30 pm or during current M-rated time slots.

4. More discretion needed - not less!
In another attempt to weaken TV standards, Free TV Australia wants to change the guidelines for MA programs so that sex scenes no longer have to be “discreet” and they “may contain detail”. As if the amount of sex being shown on MA programs wasn't already bad enough - now they want to make it even more explicit!

What to do? Oppose this move and let Free TV Australia know that MA programs are already too sexually explicit. Ask for stronger guidelines to stop this - not weaker ones.

5. Reality check on demeaning depictions
In a good move, Free TV Australia wants to tighten controls on reality television programs through censoring coarse language, blurring vision in live broadcasts, and ensuring that contestants are stopped before they do anything inappropriate. However the proposed changes don't go far enough. They say that participants in reality TV can't be presented in a “highly demeaning or highly exploitative manner”. We say participants shouldn't be demeaned or exploited at all!

What to do? Congratulate Free TV Australia on making some good changes to reality TV guidelines but ask them to get rid of the word “highly” in the proposed changes - it makes the guidelines far too open to interpretation!

6. Don't stifle our complaints
Under the new Code, Free TV is clearly trying to stifle complaints and campaigns against specific problem programs run by organisations such as the Australian Christian Lobby. They want to stop people from complaining if they haven't personally seen the offending program and want to treat a series of complaints from a group of people about the same subject matter as a SINGLE complaint - requiring only one response. It is already hard enough to get genuine concerns and complaints acted on and now they want to muzzle the people who care enough to complain!

What to do? Oppose these moves and let them know that the complaints process needs to be made easier, not harder. Ask for the Code to be changed so that people can lodge formal complaints via email in future, instead of only by fax or post.

7. Stepping into the breach
Under both the old Code and the proposed one it is far too easy for a failure to comply with the Code to be excused - and not even called a breach - for reasons such as “it was a reasonable mistake” or due to “a reasonable reliance on information supplied by another person”. This in turn means there are no repercussions for the TV network involved.

What to do? Ask for section 1.5 of the Code to be changed so that there aren't so many grounds for a breach of the Code to be excused. Let them know that TV stations need to be more accountable!

Comment on the code
To find out more about the review and to make a submission to Free TV Australia about their proposed Code of Practice please click here or go to the Free TV website at www.freetv.com.au and follow the links to the review. The ACL is also running a 'Tame the Tube' campaign on the issue at our www.makeastand.org.au campaign website which you might like to check out.

Remember, even a short submission can make a difference. So please let Free TV Australia know that, when it comes to sex, violence and demeaning behaviour on the box, it's time for a break in transmission!

Glynis Quinlan is the public relations manager for the Australian Christian Lobby and a journalist with Debate magazine.

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