The ABA has registered the revised codes of practice for subscription television broadcasting and narrowcasting services, open narrowcasting television services, subscription narrowcasting radio services and open narrowcasting radio services.

The revised codes have been developed by ASTRA (Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association) on behalf of the industry sectors. The revised codes replace the previous ASTRA codes that have been in place since 1997 and 1999.

The registration follows consultation between the ABA and ASTRA and a process of public consultation by ASTRA.

ABA Chairman David Flint is pleased with the new codes: “The ABA is encouraged by the responsiveness shown by the subscription TV industry, particularly to the ABA’s concerns about program classification and the need to protect children from harmful or disturbing material… The ABA is satisfied that the codes provide appropriate safeguards for the community.”

ASTRA has advised the ABA that it will be conducting information sessions with service providers and call centres on the revised codes in the coming weeks.

The codes set out the obligations for each of the broadcasting and narrowcasting sectors in relation to issues such as the classification of program material, the presentation of news and current affairs programs, the placement of advertising and the handling of public complaints.

Additionally, the subscription narrowcast and broadcast codes provide a framework for the handling of consumer service issues, such as confidentiality of consumer information and disputes about fault repair and billing.

The codes are on the ASTRA website (click below)