YNOT – Evidently “reality TV” can get a bit too real, at least in Australia. Based on public outcry over alleged explicit sexuality and rough treatment of contestants on the hit-but-now-defunct show Big Brother, the government’s television watchdog has instituted new rules that require broadcasters to justify as essential any nudity, sexual content and “off-color” humor to which viewers take exception.The regulations take effect Jan. 1, and networks that flout them could face stiff fines.
Under the revised Australian Communication and Media Authority code, television producers no longer may “exploit and demean” reality TV contestants. In addition, in the event of complaints, broadcasters must prove sex scenes and nudity are inextricably plot-relevant. They also must be able to articulate why dirty jokes were necessary to the larger context of the show.
A final clause insists public apologies for errors in news and current affairs programming be made “in a timely fashion.”
Big Brother, which ran for eight seasons on Channel 10, was cancelled last year due to falling ratings, so the program that precipitated the code changes will not be affected by them; however, its replacement, MasterChef Australia, will. Observers doubt the family friendly cooking show will generate the number of complaints Big Brother received during its notoriously explicit run.
An ACMA spokesman said the new rules do nothing more than align those that apply to broadcasters with those already in existence for movies and video games. In addition, beginning in March, the complaint process will be simplified to appease the public when ACMA makes available an online consumer reporting form.
So-called “family values” groups still aren’t satisfied.
“I give them some credit for [tightening the rules and enabling online reporting] but, essentially, if they make a show about sleazy strippers and there’s nudity, they can just argue that the nudity is relevant because it’s a show about strippers,” Family Council of Victoria spokesman Bill Muehlenberg told Australian newspaper The Advertiser. “I would prefer to see no shows like that in the first place.”
Focus on the Family spokeswoman Deb Sorensen said the penalties are vague at best, which sets them up to be ineffective.
“There are still no clear boundaries or clear consequences, particularly when it comes to advertising these shows,” she told The Advertiser. “Shows with gratuitous sex and violence are being advertised earlier and earlier or during shows that kids are watching, like the [Australian Football League], which can run until 11 p.m.”
According to The Advertiser, the networks have not determined what effects the code changes may have on current and future programming.
