Media Regulation in Australia
Australia has always been seen as the lucky country of democracy and choice. Freedom of choice is essential in this definition. This includes the right to consume whatever media you choose. However, this right of choice has been challenged through the introduction of regulation and control over media content in Australia. In some ways this is good as it protects minorities and individuals, but does effect the majority’s freedom of choice.
Government bodies, such as The Press Council of Australia, the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Media Arts Entertainment Alliance (MEAA) have been created to investigate and enforce media regulation and its content. They have also been backed up by smaller groups, such as teachers and parents, particularly in the quest to stamp out appropriate content.
The argument is that there are numerous groups within the community that can be severely affected or influenced by media content, who require regulation to ensure that there is no negative impact. This might include children or intellectually disabled people, to name a few. Representations of violence, sex or racism can have a bigger impact on these people, leading to these ideas being ingrained in their social behaviour.
An example of this is the idea that violent films or television programs have an impact on children and can cause them to copy this behaviour, thus behaving in socially unacceptable ways. This was highlighted by the Port Arthur massacre where John Bryant killed numerous people. It was believed that he had a fetish for violent films, owning a huge collection, and was consequently influenced by these violent images and ideas to go on a killing spree. The regulation authorities work on the premise that there is definitely influence, so content must be regulated.
The other side to this argument is that by regulating media content for these minority groups, the majority of the population have their freedom of choice taken away from them. They argue that media regulation should be up to each individual, with families doing the regulating for the minority groups. The audience as a whole is not affected in the same way, and so should have the right to choose what they consume. Media influence is not a proven thing. It is only speculative that there is any influence at all, and only with specific individuals.
So why should the majority suffer to assist the minority? How far should regulation be adhered to? This is an argument that is still ongoing.
The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
ACMA is responsible for regulating online content, including internet and mobile phone content, and enforcing Australia's anti-spam law.
ACMA's responsibilities include:
Broadcasting regulation
The Classification Board
What does the Classification Board do?
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. There are limited exceptions to this rule.
The Classification Board also decides what consumer advice should be provided with each classification. Consumer advice is designed to let consumers know which classifiable elements ( for example violence, sex, coarse language, themes, drug use and/or nudity) have led to the classification decision. Consumer advice helps you make an informed choice about the material you, or those in your care, choose to read, view or play.
In addition to commercial material, the Classification Board also classifies material submitted from the police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The Board classifies internet sites referred by ACMA and video content developed by for distribution over mobile phone networks. The Board also provides classifications to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in relation to the importation of publications, videos and computer games.
The Board does not classify TV programs or films for broadcast on TV.
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
▪ 14 Australian Communications and Media Authority Internet referrals, and
▪ 96 enforcement referrals.
What is the role of a Board Member?
Board members are responsible for classification of films (including cinema, DVDs and other home entertainment formats), publications and computer games and carry out this role on a daily basis.
The Board, of necessity and in accordance with statutory requirements, operates on the basis of a majority-based decision-making procedure. Accordingly, it is essential that members have the ability to clearly articulate their views orally and in writing, to appreciate and contemplate the views of others and, in light of the statutory requirements for decision making, make decisions that are good in law.
Members of the Board are exposed to a wide range of material, including a large amount of sexually explicit material. Some of the material may be of a particularly confronting or offensive nature, for example, that is cited in the 'RC' (Refused Classification) categories of the National Classification Code. Board members must therefore possess maturity and balance, and the ability to apply reason, commonsense and sensitivity in the performance of their duties.
The Director of the Classification Board is responsible for management and oversight of the Board and its decision making processes. The Director reports to the Australian Minister for Home Affairs.
The Classification Act provides that membership of the Board should be broadly representative of the Australian community. Members of the Board are identified through a national recruitment process appointed by the Governor-General for a period of three years. Members may be eligible for reappointment, but may not hold office more than seven years.
What is a 'classification decision'?
The classification of a film, publication or computer game is about informing your choices. Before material is made available to the public, the Classification Board assesses the content to see where it fits within the classification categories – such as G, PG and so on.
The Classification Board also makes a decision on appropriate consumer advice that lets you know what to expect when you watch the film or video, open the magazine, or play the computer game. Consumer advice warns the audience about content that may scare, upset or have a strong impact. In providing consumer advice at lower classification levels (such as G and PG), the Classification Board focuses on providing information about content that may have an impact on children, especially very young children.
Government bodies, such as The Press Council of Australia, the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Media Arts Entertainment Alliance (MEAA) have been created to investigate and enforce media regulation and its content. They have also been backed up by smaller groups, such as teachers and parents, particularly in the quest to stamp out appropriate content.
The argument is that there are numerous groups within the community that can be severely affected or influenced by media content, who require regulation to ensure that there is no negative impact. This might include children or intellectually disabled people, to name a few. Representations of violence, sex or racism can have a bigger impact on these people, leading to these ideas being ingrained in their social behaviour.
An example of this is the idea that violent films or television programs have an impact on children and can cause them to copy this behaviour, thus behaving in socially unacceptable ways. This was highlighted by the Port Arthur massacre where John Bryant killed numerous people. It was believed that he had a fetish for violent films, owning a huge collection, and was consequently influenced by these violent images and ideas to go on a killing spree. The regulation authorities work on the premise that there is definitely influence, so content must be regulated.
The other side to this argument is that by regulating media content for these minority groups, the majority of the population have their freedom of choice taken away from them. They argue that media regulation should be up to each individual, with families doing the regulating for the minority groups. The audience as a whole is not affected in the same way, and so should have the right to choose what they consume. Media influence is not a proven thing. It is only speculative that there is any influence at all, and only with specific individuals.
So why should the majority suffer to assist the minority? How far should regulation be adhered to? This is an argument that is still ongoing.
The ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority)
ACMA is responsible for regulating online content, including internet and mobile phone content, and enforcing Australia's anti-spam law.
ACMA's responsibilities include:
- promoting self-regulation and competition in the communications industry, while protecting consumers and other users
- fostering an environment in which electronic media respect community standards and respond to audience and user needs
- managing access to the radiofrequency spectrum
- representing Australia 's communications interests internationally.
Broadcasting regulation
- ACMA plans the channels that radio and television services use, issues and renews licences, regulates the content of radio and television services and administers the ownership and control rules for broadcasting services.
- ACMA is responsible for regulating online content (including internet and mobile content) and enforcing Australia's anti-spam law.
- ACMA licenses Australia's telecommunications carriers and regulates fixed line and mobile telecommunications.
- ACMA plans and manages the radiofrequency spectrum in Australia. It is responsible for compliance with licensing requirements and investigating complaints of interference to services.
The Classification Board
What does the Classification Board do?
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. There are limited exceptions to this rule.
The Classification Board also decides what consumer advice should be provided with each classification. Consumer advice is designed to let consumers know which classifiable elements ( for example violence, sex, coarse language, themes, drug use and/or nudity) have led to the classification decision. Consumer advice helps you make an informed choice about the material you, or those in your care, choose to read, view or play.
In addition to commercial material, the Classification Board also classifies material submitted from the police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The Board classifies internet sites referred by ACMA and video content developed by for distribution over mobile phone networks. The Board also provides classifications to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in relation to the importation of publications, videos and computer games.
The Board does not classify TV programs or films for broadcast on TV.
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
▪ 14 Australian Communications and Media Authority Internet referrals, and
▪ 96 enforcement referrals.
What is the role of a Board Member?
Board members are responsible for classification of films (including cinema, DVDs and other home entertainment formats), publications and computer games and carry out this role on a daily basis.
The Board, of necessity and in accordance with statutory requirements, operates on the basis of a majority-based decision-making procedure. Accordingly, it is essential that members have the ability to clearly articulate their views orally and in writing, to appreciate and contemplate the views of others and, in light of the statutory requirements for decision making, make decisions that are good in law.
Members of the Board are exposed to a wide range of material, including a large amount of sexually explicit material. Some of the material may be of a particularly confronting or offensive nature, for example, that is cited in the 'RC' (Refused Classification) categories of the National Classification Code. Board members must therefore possess maturity and balance, and the ability to apply reason, commonsense and sensitivity in the performance of their duties.
The Director of the Classification Board is responsible for management and oversight of the Board and its decision making processes. The Director reports to the Australian Minister for Home Affairs.
The Classification Act provides that membership of the Board should be broadly representative of the Australian community. Members of the Board are identified through a national recruitment process appointed by the Governor-General for a period of three years. Members may be eligible for reappointment, but may not hold office more than seven years.
What is a 'classification decision'?
The classification of a film, publication or computer game is about informing your choices. Before material is made available to the public, the Classification Board assesses the content to see where it fits within the classification categories – such as G, PG and so on.
The Classification Board also makes a decision on appropriate consumer advice that lets you know what to expect when you watch the film or video, open the magazine, or play the computer game. Consumer advice warns the audience about content that may scare, upset or have a strong impact. In providing consumer advice at lower classification levels (such as G and PG), the Classification Board focuses on providing information about content that may have an impact on children, especially very young children.