Ratings And Classification

1. Australian Media Organisations
Australian Ratings and Classifications

2. Why do we need to be regulated?

3. Who regulates Our Media?
•Television
•Films
•Radio
•Internet

4. Australian Communication and Media Authority
(ACMA)
(ACMA)
Film Television Radio
Office of Film and
Literature
Classification
(OFLC)
FreeTV Commercial Radio
Australia

5. Office of Film and Literature
Classification (OFLC)
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.
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

6. Every Film and video game
must be submitted to the OFLC
for review by the Classification
Board, who will decide on the
Classification by Majority Vote.
The cost of a classification for
an average 90 minute film is
$1830

7. The Act
Under the Act, each of the following matters must be taken into
account in classifying films and computer games:
(a)the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally
accepted by reasonable adults;
(b)the literary, artistic or educational merit (if any) of the publication,
film or computer game;
(c)the general character of the publication, film or computer game,
including whether it is of a medical, legal or scientific character;
(d)the persons or class of persons to or amongst whom it is
published or is intended or likely to be published.

8. The Code
Under the Code, classification decisions are to give effect, as far
as possible, to the following principles:
(a)adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want;
(b)minors should be protected from material likely to harm or
disturb them;
(c)everyone should be protected from exposure to unsolicited
material that they find offensive;
(d)the need to take account of community concerns about:
(i)depictions that condone or incite violence, particularly sexual
violence; and
(ii)the portrayal of persons in a demeaning manner.

9. RC
Advisory
Categories
G, PG and M are
advisory categories.
Advisory categories are
not restricted to anyone.
These classifications are
recommendations only.
Restricted
Categories
MA15+, R18+ and
X18+ are legally
restricted categories – in
other words, there are
laws regarding who can
watch material classified
MA 15+ and over.
Refused
Classification
It is also possible for a
film to be classified 'RC'
(Refused Classification)
– in other words, banned
which means that it
cannot legally be shown,
sold or hired in
Australia.

10. RC
Advisory
Categories
G, PG and M are
advisory categories.
Advisory categories are
not restricted to anyone.
These classifications are
recommendations only.
Restricted
Categories
MA15+, R18+ and
X18+ are legally
restricted categories – in
other words, there are
laws regarding who can
watch material classified
MA 15+ and over.
Refused
Classification
It is also possible for a
film to be classified 'RC'
(Refused Classification)
– in other words, banned
which means that it
cannot legally be shown,
sold or hired in
Australia.
Video games have the same
Classifications except there
is are no R 18+ / X 18+
Classifications

11. Three essential
principles underlie the
use of the Guidelines:
- the importance of
context
- assessing impact
- the six classifiable
elements
THEMES
NUDITY
VIOLENCE
SEX
LANGUAGE
DRUG USE

12. G -
GENERAL
The G classification is for a general
audience. However, it does not
necessarily indicate that children will
enjoy the film or computer game.
Some G films and games contain
themes, story-lines or game play that
do not interest children.
The impact of the classifiable elements for
material classified G should be very mild
only.

13. PG- PARENTAL
GUIDANCE
Material classified PG may contain
material which some children find
confusing or upsetting, and may
require the guidance of parents or
guardians. It is not recommended for
viewing or playing by persons under
15 without guidance from parents or
guardians.
The impact of the classifiable elements for
material classified PG should be no higher
than mild.

14. M - MATURE
Material classified M is not
recommended for persons under 15
years of age. There are no legal
restrictions on access.
The impact of the classifiable elements for
material classified M should be no higher
than moderate.

15. MA 15+ MATURE
ACCOMPANIED
Material classified MA 15+ is
considered unsuitable for persons
under 15 years of age. It is a legally
restricted category.
The impact of the classifiable elements for
material classified M should be no higher
than strong.

16. R 18+ RESTRICTED
Material classified R 18+ is legally
restricted to adults. Some material
classified R 18+ may be offensive to
sections of the adult community.
The impact of the classifiable elements for
material classified M should not exceed
high.

17. X 18+ RESTRICTED
This classification is a special and
legally restricted category which
contains only sexually explicit
material. That is material which
contains real depictions of actual
sexual intercourse and other sexual
activity between consenting adults.
CONTAINS CONSENSUAL SEXUALLY EXPLICIT
ACTIVITY (Restricted to adults 18 years and over*)
*Available only for sale or hire in the ACT and Northern
Territory.

18. RC - REFUSED
CLASSIFICATION
Films that exceed the R 18+ and X
18+ classification categories will be
Refused Classification. Computer
games that exceed the MA 15+
classification category will be
Refused Classification.RC

19. FreeTV Australia
Free TV is an
industry body which
represents all of
Australia's
commercial free-to-
air television
licencees.
The content of free-to-air
commercial television is regulated
under the Commercial Television
Industry Code of Practice which
has been developed by Free TV
Australia and registered with the
Australian Communications and
Media Authority (ACMA).

20. Each broadcast day is divided into
classification zones which are based on the
majority audience normally viewing at that
time, with particular regard to the child
component of the audience.
Only material which is suitable for a particular
classification zone is broadcast in that zone.

21. Weekdays

22. Weekends

23. There are seven Australian TV
Classifications
These are set by the television stations themselves.
Films shown on TV may be changed to fit within the TV
Classifications

24. C - CHILDREN
Material is intended for children or
pre-schoolers.
Material classified C or P must
satisfy the requirements of the
Australian Broadcasting Authority’s
Children’s Television Standards.
P - PRESCHOOLERS

25. G - GENERAL
G rated material is deemed suitable
for general exhibition.
Material classified G is not
necessarily intended for children but
it must be very mild in impact and
must not contain any matter likely to
be unsuitable for children to watch
without supervision.

26. PG - PARENTAL
GUIDANCE
RECOMMENDED
PG rated material recommends
parental guidance for young viewers.
Material classified PG may contain
careful presentations of adult themes
or concepts but must be mild in
impact and remain suitable for
children to watch with supervision.

27. M - MATURE
M rated material is recommended for
mature audiences.
Material classified M is
recommended for viewing only by
persons aged 15 years or over
because of the matter it contains, or
of the way this matter is treated.

28. MA - MATURE
AUDIENCE
Material classified MA is suitable for
viewing only by persons aged 15 years or
over because of the intensity and/or
frequency of sexual depictions, or coarse
language, adult themes or drug use.
Material classified AV is suitable for viewing
only by persons aged 15 years or over. It is
unsuitable for MA classification because of
the intensity and/or frequency of violence,
or because violence is central to the theme.
AV - ADULT VIOLENCE

29. Commercial Radio Australia
Commercial Radio
Australia Ltd is the national
industry body representing
Australia's commercial
radio broadcasters.
The commercial radio industry
has developed the
Commercial Radio Codes of Practice
. The Codes are registered by
ACMA and are therefore binding
on all commercial radio
licensees.

30. Commercial Radio Codes of Practice
A licensee must not broadcast a program which:(a)is likely to incite,
encourage or present for its own sake violence or brutality;(b)simulate
news or events in such a way as to mislead or alarm listeners;(c)present
as desirable: (i)the misuse of alcoholic liquor; or (ii)the use of illegal
drugs, narcotics or tobacco.(d)depicts suicide favourably or presents
suicide as a means of achieving a desired result; or(e)is likely to incite or
perpetuate hatred against or vilify any person or group on the basis of age,
ethnicity, nationality, race, gender, sexual preference, religion or physical
or mental disability.

31. Commercial Radio Codes of Practice
On a Top 40 Radio Station, Australian Artists
must make up not less than:
25%
of all music played.
(Of that, 25% must be
new Australian music)