MEDIA REGULATION

Unit 2 Media – Area of Study 3

Should we have an R18+ rating?

Citizens discussing whether we should have an R18+ rating back in 2008. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIy_W_vOwI8)

Discussions for and against R18+ rated video games on ABC’s Q&A in 2008. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4KR3nmDpz0)

Research Activity Students will be assigned one of the links below.

They will then read through the article and become an expert on what is discussed in reference to the relatively new R18+ rating for video games, before reporting back to the class.

http://tinyurl.com/ob7exm3 http://tinyurl.com/npgcfou http://tinyurl.com/poxyulc http://tinyurl.com/o7f6g2b

Classification Review Board Meets to review classification decisions that have been

appealed by film distributors or game publishers. (eg. production company wanting to market their film to people under 15 when they have been given an MA15+ rating).

In the above instance, they would be prohibited from screening to audiences under 15 and even the trailer can’t be shown at G, PG or M rated cinema sessions.

The Attorney-General can appeal a classification decision as well as any member of the public who feels offended by the film/video game/etc.

Classification Review Board Decisions

Students are to research past decisions that have been made by the CRB from the link below and take notes about it which they can then share with the class.

Why was the review needed/What was the issue? What codes or guidelines did the CRB find that the

film/video game followed/didn’t follow? What was the result?

http://tinyurl.com/ofh2mhg

Media Ethics Media Organisations have a responsibility to meet their

licence conditions and abide by their industry codes of practice.

Journalists are expected to uphold and demonstrate values or honesty and integrity when it comes to news.

Most Media Organisations are owned by larger corporations who have somewhat control over putting different agendas and bias into the news. This is considered a ‘conflict of interest’. (eg. organisations that are interested in gambling/mining industries wouldn’t run negative stories about them).

Media Ethics The Australian print media body; the Australian Press Council, operates

under a Statement of Principles that states:

First, the freedom of the press to publish is the freedom, and right, of the people to be informed. These are the justifications for upholding press freedom as an essential feature of a democratic society. This freedom includes the right to publish the news, without fear or favour, and the right to comment fairly and responsibly upon it.

Second, the freedom of the press is important more because of the obligation it entails towards the people than because of the rights it gives to the press. Freedom of the press carries with an equivalent responsibility to the public. Liberty does not mean license. Thus, in dealing with complaints, the Council will give first and dominant consideration to what is perceives to be in the public interest…

(Australian Press Council Statement of Principles)

Australian Media Consumers With what we have learnt in mind, it is up to us

as consumers to hold the media to account.

We should never be afraid to complain about something the media has published that we may find offensive or unjust.

Australian Media Consumers – a fine balance between being entertained and being an active citizen.

Activity Individually or with a partner, imagine

that you work for the likes of the Classification Board and create a list of principles that you believe all media organisations should follow (eg. truthful news reporting, etc.)

Along with this you can also create your own classification system.