Vic: Bracks backs away from censorship of news violence

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2001
Vic: Bracks backs away from censorship of news violence

Victorian Premier STEVE BRACKS has backed away from key recommendations on restricting
disturbing or violent images in the news media.

They included calls for television broadcasters to only screen disturbing footage in
late-night news bulletins, and to provide an early news service of interest to children.

The recommendations were earlier supported by the government it its response to a Victorian
parliamentary committee report on the effects of television and multi-media on children
and families.

The government said it would refer the issues to the federal government and the Australian
Broadcasting Authority for further consideration.

But Mr BRACKS now says self-regulation in the news media is working well, and further
restrictions would be unworkable.





For the past three years, the Victorian parliament's Family and Community Development
Committee has examined the impact of TV and multimedia on children and families in Victoria.

The committee also recommends an examination of the time slots for movies showing sex
and violence, and that cinema age limits be policed more strictly.

AAP RTV bp/gfr/aa/pc

KEYWORD: VIOLENCE BRACKS (MELBOURNE)

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