The Regulator
14.20 The ALRC’s recommendation for a single regulator is a central element of the new National Classification Scheme, and arises as a consequence of regulating the classification of films, television, publications, computer games and online media content under a framework that can be more flexible and adaptive in the context of media convergence.14.21 Combining a …
Publications
Read moreFunctions of the Regulator
14.52 The Regulator’s functions should be based upon functions that are currently performed by the AGD in administering the classification scheme for publications, films and computer games; and the ACMA, in relation to online and mobile content and broadcast television.14.53 In addition, while the Classification Board would be retained, some of its present functions, in …
Publications
Read moreInternational cooperation
12.75 Alongside efforts to identify effective filtering strategies in Australia, there are international schemes which are working towards limiting the distribution of child sexual abuse content on the internet. There are four international schemes with this objective. International cooperation is vital to efforts to stop the distribution of child abuse material.Internet Watch Foundation12.76 The Internet …
Publications
Read moreProhibitions online
12.39 This section outlines the existing methods employed to address RC content online. The Classification of Media Content Act should provide for similar methods of stopping the distribution of Prohibited content.12.40 The ACMA is required to investigate complaints made about online content defined as ‘prohibited content’ under the Broadcasting Services Act. As has been explained, …
Publications
Read moreReasonable steps to restrict access
10.63 This section provides an overview of some of the key methods of restricting access, online and offline, to adult content.[57] While the new Act should provide for essential requirements for restricting access, the various ‘reasonable steps’ that different types of content provider might be expected to take should be prescribed in industry codes, approved …
Publications
Read moreBackground
This is the first comprehensive review of censorship and classification since the ALRC report, Censorship Procedure, published in 1991 (ALRC Report 55). That report recommended a legislative framework that would enable the Commonwealth, states and territories to take a national approach to classification. Its recommendations formed the basis of the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer …
Publications
Read moreKey features
In this Report, the ALRC recommends a new classification scheme for a new convergent media landscape. The key features of the ALRC’s model are: Platform-neutral regulation—one legislative regime establishing obligations to classify or restrict access to content across media platforms. Clear scope of what must be classified—that is feature films, television programs and certain computer …
Publications
Read moreNet effect of the recommendations
The net effect of the ALRC’s recommendations in this Report would be the establishment of a new National Classification Scheme that: applies consistent rules to content that are sufficiently flexible to be adaptive to technological change;places a regulatory focus on restricting access to adult content, helping to promote cyber-safety and protect children from inappropriate content …
Publications
Read moreObligations for online content
5.43 Some stakeholders expressed concern about imposing classification-related obligations in relation to non-commercial online content, and noted that the Broadcasting Services Act imposes obligations to assess online content only on ‘commercial content service providers’. 5.44 Under the Broadcasting Services Act, a commercial content service provider is defined as a content service that ‘(a) is operated …
Publications
Read moreRelated inquiries
1.6 Since 2010, there have been a significant number of inquiries and reviews covering matters related to the Inquiry. In 2010, the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department (AGD) conducted a public consultation on an R 18+ classification for computer games.[1] Commonwealth, state and territory censorship ministers subsequently reached in-principle agreement on the introduction of an R …
Publications
Read more