ACMA unveils online complaints process for commercial radio industry
The media regulator has unveiled the revised codes of practice for the commercial radio industry which will for the first time require broadcasters to accept complaints electronically.
It follows the release of the commercial TV industry’s new code of practice in December which from March 1 will also require TV broadcasters to allow viewers to lodge complaints electronically.
Chris Chapman, Australian Communications and Media Authority chairman, said: “The move to online commercial radio complaints is a major enhancement and responds to community demands for a streamlined complaints process.”
The commercial radio Codes were last reviewed and registered by ACMA in September 2004. This followed a two year period of consultation between industry body Commercial Radio Australia, its members, the general public and ACMA.
Last month, ACMA called on the commercial radio industry to put in place safeguards to protect participants in live entertainment programs or risk facing new regulatory measures.
It followed the release of ACMA’s report into the issue, prompted by 2Day FM’s Kyle & Jackie O breakfast show’s controversial lie detector segment when a 14 year old girl reveal she had been raped live on air.
An ACMA spokesman said the matter is being treated separately to the revised Code and it is “still awaiting CRA’s response”.
Meanwhile, ACMA has released its first research and an associated issues paper as part of the media regulator’s review of the three commercial radio standards introduced after the “cash for comment” inquiry.
Amendments to the commercial radio Codes of Practice:
Code | Amendment |
Code 1 – Programs unsuitable for broadcast |
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Code 2 – News and current affairs programs |
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Code 5 – Complaints |
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Code 7 – Compliance with the codes |
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