TV, books face Big Brother law

http://www.smh.com.au ^ | 7 26 06 | David Marr and Lisa Murray

[freepatriot32]

THE nation's attorneys-general will consider banning books that praise terrorism and placing fresh restrictions on reality shows like Big Brother when they meet tomorrow.

The federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, has placed these proposals on the agenda following the uproar over the "turkey slapping" incident on Big Brother this month and after only two of eight "hate" books he submitted to the Classification Review Board were banned a fortnight ago.

Mr Ruddock has told his state and territory colleagues the difficulty of banning the books shows that present classification codes "may not provide sufficiently clear guidance" at a time when "there has been community outrage at inflammatory and aggressive incitements to violent acts of terrorism contained in some material".

The books - a cause celebre on talkback radio and in the tabloid press - were first cleared by police as neither seditious nor an incitement to violence. They were then cleared by the Classification Board of the Office of Film and Literature Classification, after it found they did not "promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence".

Only after Mr Ruddock appealed to the Classification Review Board in June were two of the books - Defence of the Muslim Lands and Join the Caravan - found to fall foul of the guidelines. In Melbourne tomorrow, he will ask ministers to endorse broader rules banning any material "counselling, urging, providing instruction or praising" acts of terrorism.

The proposal will face opposition from some attorneys-general. "NSW is not going to support this," said a spokesman for the Attorney-General, Bob Debus.

Margaret Keech, the minister representing Queensland, told the Herald: "Queensland does have some reservations on the hate publications issue."

Victoria's Rob Hulls said: "The current classification arrangements already address publications and films that promote acts of terrorism. These arrangements are co-operative and agreed by all jurisdictions."

Mr Ruddock will also face stiff opposition in his attempts to rein in Big Brother. It can now be revealed that the Australian Communications and Media Authority thought the footage of "turkey slapping" streamed on the internet - one of the contestants placing his genitals near the face of another - was tame enough to show on TV.

The Herald has learned the authority informally told the Minister for Communications, Helen Coonan, it rated the footage as no more than MA plus: suitable for viewers aged 15 or over after 9pm.

Nevertheless, Mr Ruddock is asking the ministers to discuss a proposition backed by lobbyists for tighter restrictions on television: that the community tolerates more sex and nudity in film than in live or reality TV. Mr Ruddock wrote, "We may, in the light of the review, need to consider whether the code and guidelines currently deal sufficiently with these issues."

Mr Hulls said this could lead to a diet of I Love Lucy reruns or worse. "A move to extend National Classification Code and Guidelines to reality television programs could also affect news reporting programs like 60 Minutes that rely on live footage - just how far does the Commonwealth intend to go?"

Mr Debus said: "There is already a sophisticated electronic device for filtering this kind of material. It's called the off switch."

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is warning prospective bidders for its two new digital television licences that it will not look favourably on proposals for gambling or R-rated content - suitable only for those 18 and above.

Australia is one of the few Western countries that bans R-rated films on free-to-air television. Senator Coonan's office is not denying the restriction will extend to new digital channels.

A spokeswoman for Senator Coonan said: "The minister is mindful of using the spectrum - a valuable and scarce resource - in the best interests of Australian consumers."

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Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[Mac1]

you have Big Brother on TV in the states (bunch of exhibitionists making fools of themselves)?

[freepatriot32]

you have Big Brother on TV in the states (bunch of exhibitionists making fools of themselves)?

Yeah we have had it for the last six years this season is an all star season with a couple of people from each of the last 6 seasons on competeing for 500 000 dollars http://www.cbs.com/primetime/bigbrother7/

[Global2010]

So if they take the books of the shelf then could the interested readers go onto the Library net to ponder the same subject matter?

[mugs99]

Mr Hulls said this could lead to a diet of I Love Lucy reruns or worse.

LOL...Many would like to do that here.
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