Isn't that the purpose of "Reality Shows"?

According to this article, the Australian Communication and Media Authority's new code will force networks to STOP exploiting and demeaning reality television contestants.

I thought that was the whole purpose of 'reality television' which is why I rarely watch it!

In addition, networks will have to

"PROVE sex scenes and nudity are relevant to plots if they receive complaints.

EXPLAIN how dirty jokes and references were necessary to the show.

MAKE apologies for errors in current affairs and news reports on air in a timely fashion."

I can see that every TV show will now have 3 minutes of disclaimers prior to each show!

I thought the current system of a screen showing "warnings" was enough for adults to make up their own minds whether or not they want to watch the program.

Oh, and of course there's a whole bunch of people who don't think this type of censorship goes far enough:

Family Council of Victoria spokesman Bill Muehlenberg said ...

Mr Muehlenberg said more needed to be done to get rid of sex and nudity on TV.

"I give them some credit for doing this but, essentially, if they make a show about sleazy strippers and there's nudity, they can just argue that the nudity is relevant because it's a show about strippers. I would prefer to see no shows like that in the first place," he said.

Focus on the Family spokeswoman Deb Sorensen agreed the new code did not go far enough to clean up television.

"There are still no clear boundaries or clear consequences, particularly when it comes to advertising these shows," she said.

"Shows with gratuitous sex and violence are being advertised earlier and earlier or during shows that kids are watching, like the AFL, which can run until 11pm."


IF A PARENT ALLOWS THEIR KIDS TO STAY UP TO 11PM WATCHING FOOTBALL THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT ELSE THE KIDS SEES DURING THIS TIME !!! Why should OTHER ADULTS have their choices affected because of the decision by some parents?

I'm wondering if this new "code" only applies to Australian made programs (the ones mentioned in the article are all Australian films) as it would seriously limit the number of films that could be shown from other countries without the same code.

And what shows will be left for SBS to run? (They had some interesting ones on last night - call "Erotic Tales").