Draft 2011 Variation to the Children's Television Standards
Submission
The ACMA received one submission from Free TV Australia in response to the changes proposed to the Children's TV standards.
Background
On 20 October 2011, the ACMA released draft technical amendments to the Children's Television Standards 2009 for public comment.
The ACMA proposes amendments to Part 2 of the Children's Television Standards, which sets out the requirements for licensee broadcasters to provide children's (C) programs and preschool children's (P) programs. These technical amendments are intended to:
- Change the meaning of 'school holidays' to specifically cater for licensees that broadcast into more than one State or Territory
- Allow C programs and P programs that have been displaced to be further displaced, creating greater flexibility for licensees to broadcast breaking events
- Change or more clearly state the requirements to notify the viewing audience when the C program or P program schedule is varied or those programs displaced, avoiding instances where compliance with the existing provisions could be impossible
- Change quota obligations to apply to new licensees from the date they commence broadcasting, creating a fairer platform for compliance for all licensees
- Correct minor drafting errors to avoid any possible confusion
The ACMA is seeking public and industry comment on the proposed changes. These changes are contained in a new instrument, the draft Children's Television Standards Variation 2011 (No ).
An electronic version of the draft 2011 variation is available.
Submissions
Written submissions on the draft variation are now closed.
Submissions where due by close of business Friday 11 November 2011.
Submissions should identify:
- the name of the party making the submission
- the organisation represented, where applicable
- contact details, including telephone, postal address and email address.
Submissions should be sent:
by email: cts.variation@acma.gov.au
by post:
The Manager
Content Monitoring and Review Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box Q500
Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Publication of submissions
In general, the ACMA publishes all submissions that it receives. However, the ACMA will not publish submissions that it considers contain defamatory or irrelevant material.
The ACMA prefers to receive submissions over which confidentiality is not claimed. However, the ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for the confidentiality claim.
The ACMA will consider each claim for confidentiality on a case-by-case basis. If the ACMA accepts a confidentiality claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless required or authorised by law.
Release of information in submissions
Any submissions provided to the ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth). The ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example, a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult, and where required by law will consult, with submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another party, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.
Sharing of information
Under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, the ACMA may disclose certain information to the Minister, the Department (including authorised officials), Royal Commissions, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, certain Commonwealth authorities such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the authority of a foreign country responsible for regulating matters relating to communications or media.
Effective consultation
The ACMA is working to enhance the effectiveness of its stakeholder consultation processes, which are an important source of evidence for its regulatory development activities. To assist stakeholders in formulating submissions to its formal, written consultation processes, it has developed Effective consultation: A guide to making a submission. This guide provides information about the ACMA's formal written public consultation processes and practical guidance on how to make a submission.
