Free TV Australia, the body representing all of Australia’s commercial free-to-air television licensees, has initiated a public consultation process on its revised draft Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice.

The Code has been updated to ensure it continues to provide appropriate community safeguards, following a review process that took into account relevant research and investigation reports from the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The updated Code is deemed broadly fit for purpose and retains the comprehensive framework that has ensured commercial television remains a trusted source of news, current affairs, sports, and entertainment for Australians.

Key updates to the Code include simplifying M-zone classification times, strengthening and increasing timelines for corrections and clarifications of errors in news and current affairs programs, enhancing the delivery of warnings during high impact news reporting, making it easier to lodge a complaint online, and modernising the language in the Code. However, the Code provisions with respect to gambling advertising have not been reviewed at this stage and will be updated in due course when the Government has finalised its review of gambling advertising and related matters. The public consultation will close on 11 November 2024.

"The Free TV Code of Practice provides robust safeguards in accordance with community standards in areas such as program classification, accuracy and impartiality in news, placement of commercials and program promotions and advertising time limits. The Code assists viewers in making informed choices about their own television viewing and that of the children in their care, and provides effective mechanisms for receiving and handling viewer feedback and complaints," said CEO of Free TV, Bridget Fair.

"These changes will ensure that the Code remains in line with community standards and continues to operate effectively well into the future. Commercial television broadcasters in Australia are some of the most highly-regulated content platforms, and have a strong track record of compliance with the Code provisions.

"The community expects commercial television broadcasters to deliver content that that is safe, entertaining and informative, while also empowering Australians to make choices about what they and their families watch. They also expect accurate and impartial news journalism and current affairs that brings public interest stories to light, while also balancing fairness to individuals. That is exactly what the Code achieves."