Television

Many television programs contain offensive material. Bad language, blasphemy, sexual relationships and homosexuality are increasingly portrayed in programs.

Sometimes a TV program promotion is in an inappropriate time slot or ads appear in the wrong time zone...

This page contains links to the TV station websites - with contact details.

There is also information about making a complaint to the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA).

We can make a difference by taking ACTION!

When you see a program that is inappropriate or offensive:

1. Phone the station to record your concern
Don't JUST change the channel!
Have the phone numbers for each station close to the phone.

2. Write to the station
Most stations do not receive complaints by email. If you want a response you need to write a letter and post it to them!

3. Writing to ACMA
When you get a reply, if you are not satisfied, write to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (formerly the Australian Broadcasting Authority) - they monitor complaints and standards.
Click here for contact details and full description of the process. Details also below...

4. Code of Practice
Each form of TV (ABC, SBS and commercial) each have their own 'Code of Practice' which lays out their code of ethics. Complaints can be made to the TV station and then to ACMA if the TV station acts outside this code.

More information on making a complaint, ACMA and the Codes of Practice BELOW the TV station details...

Links and Details for Australian TV stations 

ABC
Click here for ABC website.
Click here to contact the ABC.
Click here for an online form to contact the ABC.
Click here for contact details for individual programs.
Click here for contact details for ABC offices.

SBS
Click here for SBS website.
Click here to make a complaint to SBS.
  - A formal or informal complaint can be made - read the page to find out more...
  - To obtain a response, you need to make a 'formal complaint'.
Click here for contact details.

Channel 7
Click here for Channel 7 Yahoo website.
To make a formal complaint: Click here for description of process.
Seven West Media - owner of Channel 7 - click here.

Channel 9
Click here for web page.
Click here for a description of the complaint process and contact details.
There are sections on making a formal complaint, a complaint about a specific program and advertisement placement.

Channel 10 
Click here for Channel 10 website.
Click here for contact details. No email addresses.
On that page, following the address section there is a description of the contact and complaint process. At the bottom of the page there is a downloadable contact/complaint form which can be filled in and mailed.

Further Action...

This material is also posted under the 'Complaints' section...

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority(ACMA) [formerly the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA)] is an independent federal statutory authority responsible for the regulation of broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content in Australia.
The ACMA took over from the ABA on 1 July 2005.

Click here for the ACMA website.

You can write to the ACMA to express your concern in any of these areas detailing your concern. Include a copy of your letter to the station and a copy of their response (if you write to the ACMA first, they will tell you to complain to the station!).

Central offices:
Canberra Central Office
Purple Building, Benjamin Offices, Chan Street, Belconnen ACT 2617
PO Box 78, Belconnen ACT 2616
Tel: 02 6219 5555
Fax: 02 6219 5200

Melbourne Central Office
Level 44 Melbourne Central Tower, 360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne Vic. 3000
PO Box 13112 Law Courts, Melbourne Vic 8010
Tel: 03 9963 6800
Fax: 03 9963 6899
TTY: 03 9963 6948

Sydney Central Office
Level 15, Tower 1 Darling Park, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
PO Box Q500, Queen Victoria Building NSW 1230
Tel: 02 9334 7700
Fax 02 9334 7799

For more details, including a list of email addresses and Regional Offices, click here.

ACMA Complaint Process and Links:
Click here for a description and overview of the complaint processes.
Click here for radio and TV complaints (broadcasting).
Click here for the broadcasting complaint form.
Click here for information on prohibited internet/online content. Complaint process - click here.
Click here to make a complaint about internet gambling.
Click here for making a report on SPAM.
Click here to make a complaint about Telecommunications.
Click here for the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

Codes of Practice

The ABC, SBS and the commercial television stations all have their own codes of practice that are monitored by separate bodies! These Codes describe the standards and complaint processes.

Commercial TV
Free TV (formerly the Federation of Commercial Television Stations (FACTS)) is the industry body representing the commercial TV stations.
They have a code of practice for commercial TV.
You can write to them with a complaint at 44 Avenue Rd, Mosman, NSW, 2088 or fax them on (02) 9969 3520.
Click here for the Free TV website.
The Code of Practice was registered by the ABA on 1 July 2004.
The Code is available online:
* Description of the code- contains links to pdf document of the Code of Practice.

ABC Code of Practice
Click here for the ABC Code of Practice.

SBS Code of Practice
Click here for the SBS Code of Practice.