073/05
21 June 2005

Complaints about Big Brother

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today said she would be writing to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) to clarify issues relating to complaints about the Big Brother program.

“I am aware that there have been complaints in relation to aspects of the reality television program ‘Big Brother’. The Government takes very seriously the issue of protection of children from exposure to program material that may be unsuitable,” Senator Coonan said.

“I will be asking the Australian Broadcasting Authority (soon to be known as the Australian Communications and Media Authority or ACMA) to look at whether there may have been a breach of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice relating to certain footage shown on the Big Brother program.

“I will also ask the ABA to look at whether the Code continues to provide sufficient safeguards in light of the increasing amount of reality television programming and whether measures to ensure effective compliance with the Code are appropriate.”

Both the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice and Codes of Practice for the national broadcasters include a complaints mechanism to address concerns about inappropriate material on television.

Complaints can be made to the broadcaster showing the particular program. If the response received from the broadcaster does not meet the concerns of the complainant or there isn’t a response within 60 days, the complainant can refer the matter to the ABA.

“Meanwhile, I have been advised that Network Ten has taken a number of steps to ensure the Big Brother program complies with the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, particularly in relation to the classification requirements set out in the Code.

“Network Ten has advised they have appointed an experienced program classifier dedicated solely to the classification of Big Brother. The classifier checks each scene before an episode is broadcast in the relevant timeslot to ensure the material is within the requirements of the Code.

“I note that two of the Big Brother programs have been classified as MA15+. In accordance with the Code, these programs are not screened until after 9pm and display consumer advice alerting viewers to the content of the program.

“However, I will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if necessary once I have received advice from the regulator.”