The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that Network TEN Sydney breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2015 (the Code) for showing images exceeding a PG classification.
The ACMA’s investigation concerned the program, Studio 10, broadcast on 1 January 2016, which was classified Parental Guidance Recommended (PG) by Ten. During the program a segment featured discussion about a sex tape scandal from 1988 and included two inset still images that appeared to have been originally sourced from video footage of the tape.
The ACMA found that Ten breached the Code as the material was not correctly classified in accordance with the criteria set out at Appendix 1 of the Code for the PG classification and was not broadcast in an appropriate time zone.
From the outset of the investigation, Ten conceded that the still images exceeded the PG classification of the program and that the broadcast had occurred due to human error. Ten also indicated it has taken a number of steps to minimise the likelihood of such a breach occurring in the future, including the implementation of new operating procedures and formal specific Code training with Studio 10 staff.
Taking into account Ten’s compliance history in relation to such matters, the ACMA said these actions address the compliance issues raised by the investigation.