053/06
14 June 2006

New safeguards for emerging audio-visual content

New safeguards will be put in place to protect consumers from inappropriate or harmful material on emerging content services such as 3G mobile phones and subscription-based Internet portals, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.

“The Government supports the development of innovative new communications services which provide access to the Internet, email, games, instant messaging, chat rooms, video clips and television programs,” the Minister said.

“However, these new content services may also potentially carry offensive or harmful content and we need to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect children from exposure to content that might be harmful.”

A recent Review of the Regulation of Content Delivered Over Convergent Devices found there is a need for specific safeguards for users of these services.

“I will soon bring to Parliament legislative measures to provide safeguards comparable to those in place for traditional media,” the Minister said.

“It will extend the current safeguards that apply to content delivered over the Internet or television to be applied to content delivered over convergent devices.

“This will include prohibition of content rated X18+ and above, requirements for consumer advice and age-restricting access to content suited only to adults.”

Strong sanctions will apply for non-compliance with the new regulatory framework, including criminal penalties for serious offences.

This range of initiatives shows how seriously this Government takes the issue of protecting children from inappropriate and offensive content.

The report of the Review is available on the DCITA website at http://www.dcita.gov.au/media_broadcasting/consultation_and_submissions/closed_consultations/review_of_the_regulation_of_content_delivered_over_convergent_devices.