Media Regulation in Australia

Unit 2 Media – Area of Study 3

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)

• As a broadcasting regulator, specific tasks that the ACMA undertake include:– Allocating TV & Radio channels.– Issuing & Renewing

broadcasting licenses.– Regulating TV & Radio content.– Setting ownership & control

rules for broadcasters.– Regulating online content &

enforcing anti-spam laws in Australia.

ACMA Complaint Procedure1. A member of the public complains to the broadcaster of the

material that offended them.

2. If a member of the public believes that the broadcaster dealt with their complaint in an unsatisfactory manner, they can take the complaint to the ACMA for further investigation.

3. The ACMA investigates to see if industry codes of practice and/or the broadcaster’s license conditions have been breached.

Breaches in license conditions can result in a range of consequences such as: fines, rules being put in place to prevent future breaches or even cancellations of the broadcaster’s licence.

ACMA

How did Aussies used Media in 2013-2014? https://youtu.be/cEgMHieBhJE

How the ACMA deals with complaints & who is complaining? https://youtu.be/e4jhxt30OhY

Who are the ACMA and what do they do? https://youtu.be/psiDcBPgOFA

Examples of Code Breaches• Channel 9 was found to have

breached the codes of practice in 2008 when Sam Newman made various about fellow sports journalist Caroline Wilson on multiple occasions.

• Sam Newman was previously in trouble the year previous for a similar incident, in which he made racist remarks.

• The ACMA set a precedent from the first incident where Channel 9 would have to pay $200,000 to a charity for each future breach.

ACMA Research Activity• Look through the previous investigations on the ACMA

Website (http://tinyurl.com/opkg8tn) and become an expert on the investigation.

• What program was the investigation about?• What channel did it feature on?• What was the complaint about/what code was reportedly

broken?• What did the ACMA find through their investigation?• What was the outcome and the reasons for the outcome?

Content Regulation• Broadcasters’ licence conditions state they must broadcast specific

amounts of Australian content, locally produced drama & children’s programming.

• This content legislation has the aim of strengthening our film and television industry.

• Keeping jobs available within the Aussie media production industry.

• Without these rules in place, Australian broadcasters would likely import international programming for a cheaper cost.

ACMA Research Activity

• Use the ACMA website to answer the following:– What is the amount of Australian content required

on commercial FTA television?– What are the Australian content requirements for

subscription television?– What is the required amount of Australian drama

on commercial FTA television and subscription television?

Ratings Classification

https://youtu.be/C6MHsb4xLZc

Classification Board