Review of the Pay Television Code of Broadcasting Practice, 1997
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Date published: October 1997
Researcher/Author: Phillipa Ballard
Scope
- Written and oral submission of views about the broadcast on pay television of R-classified materials
Methodology
- Literature review
- Qualitative research using focus groups
- Nationwide public opinion survey – 1000 respondents aged over 18 years
Results
- Majority of people think that pay television subscribers should be able to see a wide range of programmes including R18
- Express concern about access by children to adult material, and show a preference for it to be broadcast late at night
- Respondents equivocal concerning same rules for pay and free-to-air television, although there is a slight preference for a single code of practice for all television broadcasters
- Broadcasting Act does not distinguish between free-to-air and pay television broadcasters
- Authority’s view that a single code of practice for all television broadcasters is consistent with the existing legislation
- Authority’s considered view:
- Time band restrictions be standardized for pay and free-to-air television and R18 films should not be broadcast until 10:00pm
- Pay television code uses the same classification symbols as films and videos, even though restrictions cannot be applied to a broadcast medium; confusion must be removed
- Single code of practice for all television broadcasters is appropriate
- Authority will develop a draft code as a basis for consultation with broadcasters, to incorporate:
- One system of classification using symbols which are distinct from those used for the film and video industries
- Time zone restrictions for adult material
- Appropriate warnings for programmes advising viewers of the content
- Classification of promos