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More Knowledge Needed of Television Timebands and the Broadcasting Standards Complaints System
Introduction
One of the Broadcasting Standards Authority’s roles is to approve codes of broadcasting practice for television and radio. Included in the television code is information on viewing timebands and programme classifications, and the BSA regularly researches television viewers on their knowledge of these protective systems.
The BSA recently interviewed young mothers (aged 18-25 years), teenage babysitters (aged 16-18 years) and grandparents of Indian ethnicity about these systems, and the results were revealing.
While all of these caregivers were aware of the existence of an Adults Only, AO, timeband (also known as the watershed), they did not know what time it was. Only one gave the correct answer of 8.30pm.
The caregivers were also asked about their knowledge of the programme classification system where programmes are rated ‘G’ for General viewing, ‘PGR’ for Parental Guidance Recommended, and ‘AO’ for Adults Only.
When it came to programme classification, all had a good understanding of what the ratings meant. One young mum said “PGR means that the kids need us around to watch the programme”. Another young mum said AO means “Adults only. Not for young kids to see – there could be bad language, violence, etc”. A grandparent had this to say about the PGR rating, “We can make a decision whether we let the children watch.”
However some admitted to not really noticing the classifications, unless there was also a warning before the programme started.
As a result of these findings, the BSA is producing promotional materials to assist with understanding of the timeband and classification systems. They will be distributed at this year’s parent and child shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and to schools, community centres and ethnic associations.
Recently, the BSA also interviewed ethnic community leaders on the leaders’ own and their communities’ knowledge of the broadcasting complaints system. Opinion leaders from the Indian, Cambodian, Chinese, Samoan, and Korean communities in Wellington were consulted.
The interviewees revealed that New Zealand-born second and third generation migrants are more likely to make a complaint than new migrants if something they see on television or hear on radio offends them. For instance, second and third generation Chinese community members recently made a complaint to the NZ Press Council regarding an article in North and South magazine, and the complaint was upheld.
But none of the ethnic leaders talked to were aware of any complaints regarding TV or radio programming made by anyone in their own community, which confirmed what the BSA knows already – that ethnic communities are less likely to complain than other groups.
Overall, the area most offensive to ethnic communities is explicit sexual behaviour, followed by other concerns such as violence (especially for Samoan, Indian, Korean and Cambodian) and offensive language (for Cambodian and Chinese).
Those interviewed felt it was vital that the BSA make it clear that making a complaint about a broadcast is free, and that the BSA has the ability to take action if complaints are upheld.
As a result of this research, the BSA is creating materials such as advertisements, leaflets, and posters specifically for ethnic communities. They will explain the complaints process and be translated into several languages including Chinese, Samoan, and Punjabi.
The materials will be available from September.
Each year the BSA receives around 200 complaints and upholds about a quarter of them. For further information about the BSA, see www.bsa.govt.nz
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