The Australian Broadcasting Authority has registered revised codes of practice for the Community Broadcasting sector, which were announced during the CBAA conference last week.

The codes set out the responsibilities of community broadcasters for complaint handling (including the resolution of internal disputes), general programming guidelines, guidelines for news and current affairs, and Australian music content.

The revised codes were developed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia and replace those originally registered by the ABA in January 1995. They are the outcome of a review of the codes conducted by the CBAA during 2002.

The codes have been modified to take account of changes in “community attitudes, the concerns of complainants to the ABA and the views of the community broadcasting sector.” There was a vigorous debate about the codes on the CBAA website and within the sector before the new codes were finally drafted.

Once an industry code of practice has been developed, it is presented to the ABA for registration. The codes apply to all community broadcasting licensees.

ABA Chairman David Flint said the revised codes would “further enhance the effectiveness of the co-regulatory scheme… Effective codes of practice are critical to the success of a co-regulatory scheme.”

“The CBAA has worked to ensure that the codes continue to address concerns about access to and participation in the community broadcasting sector, and best practice in complaint handling and the resolution of disputes within stations,” said Flint.

During the discussion of the codes within the sector the CBAA set out “Guiding Principles” for community radio which stated:

Promote harmony and diversity in contributing to a cohesive, inclusive and culturally diverse Australian community;

Pursue the principles of democracy, access and equity, especially to people and issues under-represented in other media;

Enhance the diversity of programming choices available to the public and present programs which expand the variety of viewpoints broadcast in Australia;

Demonstrate independence in their programming as well as in their editorial and management decisions;

Support and develop local and Australian arts, music and culture in the station’s programming, to reflect a sense of Australian identity, character and cultural diversity;

Widen the community’s involvement in broadcasting.

.

Code No.1: Responsibilities of Broadcasting to the Community: Principles Of Democracy, Diversity And Independence

The purpose of this code is to ensure that the ‘Guiding Principles’ are reflected in the day to day operations and programming of community broadcasters. It covers station policies and procedures; control and participation.

Code No. 2: Guidelines For All Programming

The purpose of this code is to encourage programming that reflects the principles of community broadcasting; to break down prejudice and discrimination; and to prevent the broadcast of material, which is contrary to community standards.

There are special detailed practices within this code for News and Current Affairs Programming, Indigenous programming and coverage of Indigenous Issues.

Code No. 3: Australian Music Content

‘Australian Music’ is defined as any music composed or performed by a citizen or ordinary resident of Australia.

This Code reinforces the community broadcasting sector’s reputation as a medium committed to developing and recognising Australian composers and/or performers by providing opportunities to have their material broadcast on a regular basis.

The BSA does not require community broadcasters to maintain minimum content levels of Australian music. However, given the nature of the community broadcasting sector and its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Australian culture and the interests of local communities, it is crucial for a significant proportion of local and Australian music, including indigenous Australian music, to continue to be broadcast by community stations.

The code stipulates that Community broadcasters will ensure a proportion of the total number of musical items broadcast consist of:

* not less than 25% Australian music items for all community broadcasting licensees except ethnic and classical stations as cited Clause 3.1(b) below;

* not less that 10% Australian musical items for ethnic and classical stations.

to be determined over a one month period.

Code No. 4: Sponsorship

The purpose of this Code is to augment the sponsorship conditions set down in Schedule 2 of the BSA, including the requirement that not more than 5 minutes of the sponsorship announcements be broadcast in any one hour and the need for each sponsorship announcement to acknowledge the financial support of the sponsor.

The sponsorship policy will ensure that sponsorship will not be a factor in determining access to broadcasting time; and will not influence program or station content.

There are no statutory restrictions on the broadcast of legitimate community service announcements.

Code No. 5: Volunteers

The purpose of this code is to recognise the community broadcasting sector’s reliance on volunteer workers for its continued operation and to ensure that the rights and responsibilities regarding volunteering are addressed by individual stations.

Code No. 6: Conflict Resolution For Internal Disputes

The purpose of this code is to ensure licensees have appropriate dispute resolution procedures in place to deal with internal disputes. This code also ensures stations act in a timely and conscientious manner in resolving disputes, and actively manage the conflict resolution process.

Code No. 7: Handling Complaints From The Public

The purpose of this code is to outline the most appropriate way for stations to respond to complaints, and other comments from members of the public. It includes a stipulation to provide a minimum of 50 on-air announcements every year containing information about Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice and how audiences may obtain them and stations making every reasonable effort to resolve complaints.

Code No.8: Review Of Codes

The purpose of this code is to ensure that all codes are maintained, and where necessary, revised to accurately reflect contemporary community broadcasting principles.

The full code details are available at the link below.