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There are a number of reasons why we believe it is necessary to regulate the media. People are concerned about the impact that violent media texts will have on vulnerable audiences, such as children. As a society, we are also concerned by the potential influence the mass media can have on the values, beliefs and attitudes of audiences. As a result, the mass media in Australia is regulated in a number of ways.

National Classification Scheme

The classification of films, video games and publications in Australia is the responsibility of the Attorney General's Department. A Classification Board and Classification Review Board make decisions about the classification of films, video games and publications which are available for sale and hire in Australia.

Under the Commonwealth Classifications Act, the following matters are taken into account when classifying films, video games and publications:

• the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults;
• the literary, artistic or educational merit (if any) of the publication, film or computer game;
• the general character of the publication, film or computer game, including whether it is of a medical, legal or scientific character;
• the persons or class of persons to or amongst whom it is published or is intended or likely to be published.

Classification decisions are made according to the following principles:

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

In Australia, there are a number of classification categories, including: G, PG, M15+, MA15+, R and X. If a film, computer game or publication is deemed inappropriate by the Classification Board, it is refused classification and prohibited from sale in Australia.

Controversies

There is currently no R18+ category for video games in Australia. This has caused controversy on a number of occasions when video games - such as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Manhunt and Left 4 Dead 2 - were refused classification because they were deemed unsuitable for the MA15+ category. In some cases, edited versions of these games were released for Australian audiences.

Links

40 reasons why we need an R rating
Australia bans Manhunt
Left 4 Dead 2 banned in Australia

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA)

The ACMA is a government body responsible for regulating broadcasting and online content in Australia. Its 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.

The ACMA has developed codes of practice for television and radio in conjunction with the industry FreeTV Australia and Commercial Radio Australia. These codes govern the content of television and radio in Australia.

The ACMA also regulates the ownership of commercial media organisations in Australia. Under current media ownership laws in Australia:

• cross  media ownership is allowed providing that there are no fewer than five independent media groups in metropolitan markets and four in regional markets;
• foreign investment in the Australia media is permitted but the mass media is considered a 'sensitive sector' and any foreign investment, regardless of its size must be approved by the Treasurer;
• a person may only control one commercial television licence or two commercial radio licenses in a license area;
• a person may not control a commercial television license reaching an audience of more than 75% of the Australian population.

Links

Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice
Commercial Radio Australia Code of Practice

Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB)

The ASB oversees a national system of advertising self-regulation. The Advertising Standards Board is a free service to handle consumer complaints about advertising. According to the ASB website, these issues might include "the use of language, the discriminatory portrayal of people, concern for children, portrayals of violence, sex, sexuality and nudity, health and safety, and marketing of food and beverages to children." The ASB has a number of codes which govern the content of advertisements. The Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA) Code of Practice (http://www.adstandards.com.au/pages/images/AANA_ethicsCode_web.pdf) aims to ensure that "advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful and that they have been prepared with a sense of obligation to the consumer and society and fair sense of responsibility to competitors."

Complaints

A list of upheld complaints can be found at the ASB website. Each report includes a description of the advertisement, excerpts of complaints made by consumers, the advertiser's response to the allegations and the ASB's determination on the matter.

Links

Advertising Standards Bureau

Codes Administered by the ASB