Australian-Media.com.au News

• "Obscene Machines" breached SBS Codes of Practice

  February 25 2008 10:53am (UTC+8)  -  Article by Kevin

  The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) breached its codes of practice by broadcasting a documentary dealing with the use of mechanical devices for sexual gratification, that exceeded the MA15+ classification.
  
  The MA15+ category comprises the strongest material that is permitted for broadcast on SBS Television (apart from that with violent content).
  
  The finding is in response to a complaint that the program contained sexual material that exceeded the level permitted in the MA15+ classification category. ACMA found that SBS breached Code 4 (Television Classification Code) of the SBS Codes of Practice 2006 by incorrectly classifying the program MA15+.
  
  The National Classification Scheme, on which the SBS system of program classification is based, requires that material classified MA15+ is suitable for viewers 15 years or older.
  
  In ACMA’s view the nature and frequency of nudity and sexual references in Obscene Machines had a cumulative intensity greater than strong. ACMA considered that one segment in particular contained depictions of sexual activity with a level of detail and degree of explicitness that exceeded the MA15+ requirement that sexual activity be implied.
  
  The treatment of the subject matter in Obscene Machines is adult in nature. While the National Classification Scheme includes provisions for adult material in the R18+ classification category, the codes of practice for national and commercial television do not permit the broadcast of R18+ material on these services.
  
  ACMA has written to SBS, drawing its attention to the seriousness of broadcasting material that exceeds the MA15+ level. SBS has advised that it would remove the documentary from its schedule and inform its classification department of the ACMA finding.
  
  The investigation report is available on the ACMA website.
  
  ACMA Media Release

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