WIN Television in breach for Ten Eyewitness News report on brutal bashing
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that WIN Television breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice (the Code) in a Ten Eyewitness News ‘First at Five’ report broadcast on 8 September 2018.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said that under the Code, a licensee must have regard to the likely audience and any identifiable public interest reasons for presenting material.
‘Broadcasters can report matters of public interest, including topics such as violent attacks. However they must exercise care in selecting material that will not seriously distress or offend a substantial number of viewers’, said Ms O’Loughlin.
The ACMA investigation found the depiction of a victim repeatedly punched in the face was excessive and disproportionate to any public interest reasons given by the licensee.
The ACMA also found that despite some post-production blurring of the footage, the licensee did not exercise sufficient care in selecting the material for broadcast.
The ACMA has requested that both Network 10 and WIN Television incorporate the investigation into its compliance training for all relevant news and other staff to ensure future compliance.
‘The ACMA will continue to track complaints about the depiction of violence during news and other unclassified programs on commercial television,’ said Ms O’Loughlin.
