Dear Mr Stephens

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Senate inquiry into the effectiveness of broadcasting codes of practice. Your support is greatly appreciated. As a federal representative it is important to receive this feedback.

Over the last few decades what is considered acceptable or not with regard to bad language in broadcasting has changed dramatically. We need to ask ourselves where we are headed with this type of language and behaviour.

An examination into the effectiveness of the broadcasting Code of Practice needs to examine the frequency and use of coarse and foul language within programs, the effectiveness of the current classification standards and the effectiveness of the complaints processes currently available to the public.

I believe that the complaints process needs to be streamlined and made more responsive to the Australian community. No one should be deterred by processes from making a complaint if they find something offensive.

I accept bad language is going to be used. I understand that people - individuals and parents – have a responsibility to determine their own viewing habits by turning programs they find offensive off, but there are circumstances where we have to say enough is enough and to establish clear guidelines of acceptable behaviour.

Thank you once again for your words of encouragement.

Yours sincerely

CORY BERNARDI
Liberal Senator for South Australia
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community Services

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SENATOR CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO SLIPPING TV STANDARDS

Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Community, Senator Cory Bernardi will today introduce motion for an inquiry into the effectiveness of the broadcasting Code of Practice operating within the radio and television industry.

Senator Bernardi introduced the motion in response to two weeks of public debate on the increased frequency of swearing on television and in particular the use of gratuitous profanity on Channel Nine’s Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares.

“Swearing is one of those social blights that has intensified in recent years” said Senator Bernardi.

“Traditionally swearing existed as a means of emphasising a sentiment and seldom appeared in the public domain.

 “I am not a wowser. I have a broad acceptance of the Australian vernacular and the colourful use of language that permeates many aspects of Australian life, but like most Australians, I do not agree with the gratuitous use of obscene language, particularly in broadcasting.

 “An examination into the effectiveness of the broadcasting Code of Practice needs to examine the frequency and use of coarse and foul language within programs, the effectiveness of the current classification standards and the effectiveness of the complaints processes currently available to the public.

 “According to the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice, material not suitable for television with regards to language is defined as ‘very coarse language that is aggressive and very frequent.’

 “In recent years shows like Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares, Sex and the City, The Sopranos and Big Brother Uncut have all aired frequent coarse language that many could be interpreted as aggressive.

 “How does the television industry define ‘coarse language’? The Code of Practice needs to be clarified with examples to give broadcasters clear guidelines as to what is acceptable and what is not.

 “Over the last few decades what is considered acceptable or not has changed dramatically. We need to ask ourselves where we are headed with this type of language and behaviour.

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“In 1912 George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion outraged audiences by using the phase not bloody likely’, the Sex Pistols were banned from British television in 1976 after using the c-word on a breakfast program, in Australia we had Graham Kennedy, the king of Australian TV taken off-air for his now infamous crow call.

 “Today programs such as Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares drop the c-word in an episode at 9.30pm and has reportedly used the f-word up to 80 times in another episode screened at 8.30pm
“Action needs to be taken to clearly address the excess use of profanity on our television programs. It is obvious that the current self-regulation and complaints process is not working.

 “Currently if a person is offended by what is shown of television than they are required to write to the station which aired the show. The station then has 60 days to respond to the complaint.

 “If the station does not respond to the complaint, than the complaint can be forwarded to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

 “If the complaint is determined to be one that the ACMA will handle, then the ACMA will consider the information provided and then offer the offending station the opportunity to reply. Comments from the stations can take up to three months and often take longer.
 

“One the ACMA has all the information, the complaint is assessed against the Code of Practice. It is common to not receive any advice or report from the ACMA until five or six months after the complaint has been lodged.

 This complaints process needs to be streamlined and made more responsive to the Australian community. No one should be deterred by processes from making a complaint if they find something offensive.

 “If I stood up in parliament and used the type of language that is now being broadcast over our television screens there would be public outrage. Imagine if in one of my addresses to Parliament I had the audacity to use the c-word. I am sure that I would quickly lose the confidence of many Australians.

 “I accept bad language is going to be used. I understand that people - individuals and parents – have a responsibility to determine their own viewing habits by turning programs they find offensive off, but there are circumstances where we have to say enough is enough.

“This inquiry will help ensure broadcasting standards are in accordance with our community standards.”