Contacting the television media -lodging complaints

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 06:41:43 GMT

HOW TO COMPLAIN ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE OR HEAR ON FREE-TO-AIR TELEVISION

Before you write, please read all the following.

1. Write to the station
The only way to make an effective complaint is to write a letter. You might like to request copies of the three major codes of practice before you decide to write your letter of complaint. (See point 3 below). The station has 60 days to reply. Do not expect speedy answers.

2. Write to the ACMA if you are not satisfied with the reply you receive from the station
When you get a reply, if you are not satisfied with the reasons or excuses given, write to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (formerly the Australian Broadcasting Authority).

You need to include a copy of the station's reply as well as a copy of your original complaint.

The ACMA monitors complaints and standards, although, in my opinion, not very well. The ACMA is mostly reactive instead of pro-active. This needs to change!!
See contact details below...

3. Codes of Practice
Each form of TV network, ABC, SBS and Commercial ( i.e. channels 7,9 and 10 together) has its own code of practice. Complaints can be made to the relevant body if the TV station acts outside this code. You need to read the response from the stations in relation to the codes, or better still, write your complaint in the light of the code of practice. If you consider the code to be inadequate, ask for your concerns to be forwarded to the code reviewers.

TV stations are excellent at spin-doctoring and trivialising complaints.

Links and Details for Australian TV stations

ABC

Australian Broadcasting Corporation;
ABC Ultimo Centre;
700 Harris Street;
Ultimo 2007;
GPO Box 9994;
Sydney NSW 2001;

SBS

SBS Policy Manager
Special Broadcasting Service
Locked Bag 028
Crows Nest NSW 2065

Channel 7

	Contact Seven



	By Post Channel Seven Adelaide 45-49 Park Terrace GILBERTON SA 5081 Fax: (08) 8342 7717 Channel Seven Brisbane GPO Box 604 MOUNT COOT-THA QLD 4001 Fax: (07) 3368 2970 Channel Seven Melbourne GPO Box 4477 MELBOURNE VICTORIA 3001 Fax: (03) 9697 7676 Channel Seven Perth PO Box 77 TUART HILL WA 6060 Fax: (08) 9344 0670 Channel Seven Queensland PO Box 296 MAROOCHYDORE QLD 4558 Fax: (07) 5430 1762

Channel 9

General Programming & Content Complaints
To make a specific complaint regarding general programming matters (such as program content, classification issues, time occupied by non-program matter, program promotions etc) please direct your complaint in writing to:

The Programming Department
Channel Nine
In Your Local City

NSW Viewers: PO Box 27 Willoughby, NSW 2068
Vic Viewers: PO Box 100 Richmond, Vic 3121
QLD Viewers: PO Box 72 Brisbane, QLD 4001

Alternatively contact your local Channel Nine or Win Network Station from your local white pages.

Channel 10

All the contact information is on the following web address:

http://www.ten.com.au/main_idx.aspx?section=contactus

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.

They are supposed to be the media watchdog, but they have very little bite.

(I acknowledge the Saltshakers website for some of the above.)

Andre's Thoughts: Organizations

Contacting the television media -lodging complaints