ACMA investigation – Live hosted live entertainment radio programs – Adequacy of community safeguards for the protection of participants
In January 2010 the ACMA released the report of its investigation into whether the current regulatory arrangements – in particular the current Commercial Radio Australia Codes of Practice and Guidelines 2004 (the codes) – are providing appropriate community safeguards in relation to the treatment of participants and subjects in live hosted entertainment programs on commercial radio.
The investigation found that there is community concern surrounding the treatment of participants in commercial radio, and that this concern is greater when the participant is a child. The investigation also found that the codes do not adequately address these concerns. The ACMA has requested that the industry develops new codes that include specific provisions for addressing the issues raised in the investigation including:
- preventing the exploitation of participants in commercial radio programs;
- ensuring the radio industry has practices and processes in place that provide safeguards for participants in commercial radio programs and that these are transparent to the public;
- providing special provisions for dealing with children as participants in commercial radio programs, including the requirement that the best interests of the child is the licensee’s key consideration, irrespective of any consent given.
The report, Live hosted entertainment radio programs: Adequacy of community safeguards for the protection of participants (Word 468 kb or PDF 364 kb) and the related media release are available on the ACMA website.
Background
On 11 August 2009, the ACMA announced it was investigating, under section 170 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, whether the current regulatory arrangements, in particular the Codes are providing appropriate community safeguards for the protection of participants in live hosted entertainment radio programs. The related media release is available on the ACMA website.
The ACMA invited public comment on the terms of reference; the closing date for submissions was 30 September 2009. The Terms of Reference and the submissions received can be viewed on the ACMA’s website.
In making the findings outlined in the investigation report, the ACMA reviewed the submissions together with other relevant information and evidence, including the ACMA’s investigations and complaints, and previously commissioned research.
