Channel Nine breaches classification rules

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found Channel Nine breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice after it split a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Men Tell No Tales into two parts, each with a different classification.

The ACMA opened an investigation after Channel Nine broadcast the film in two parts, with the first part modified to suit the PG classification requirement for movies broadcast prior to 8.30 pm.

ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said film classification is intended to regulate broadcast content and assist viewers to make informed decisions about their viewing choices.

“Viewers-some who are children-would have started to watch a PG film, then halfway through been expected to choose between missing the end or watching M-rated material,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

“Networks are on notice that this approach is unacceptable and in breach of the Code.”

An ACMA investigation found that while the two parts were broadcast sequentially (part one between 7.00 pm and 8.35 pm and part two between 8.35 pm and 9.35 pm) the ACMA considers it constituted a single broadcast and the overall classification was M.

You can find out about TV classification in the TV Code.

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