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Packer drops the F-Bomb -twice.

How was Seven able to drop the F-Bomb twice at 7pm? Here's how...

2013-02-11_1211“…and a warning, while there’s not much bad language, there is a little.” -Chris Bath, Sunday Night.

Warnings before the broadcast of material of this nature must be spoken, and may also be written. They must provide an adequate indication of the nature of the material, while avoiding detail which may itself seriously distress or seriously offend viewers. -Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice.

Viewers were puzzled at how Sunday Night was able to broadcast the F-Bomb, not once but twice, last night in Mike Willesee’s interview with James Packer.

The multi-billionaire did indeed get emotional when answering questions about his father, fighting back tears as he recalled Kerry Packer’s sometimes “terrifying” style.

Broadcasting the F-Bomb at 7pm is not common-place but the Code of Practice does give News and Current Affairs some flexibility that isn’t afforded to other content in the same timeslot.

Firstly, there is no classification for News and Current Affairs.

Chris Bath abided by the ruling that an audible warning must be given before the broadcast. It could be debatable that the offending words were separated in the second segment, following a commercial break, rather than directly before.

There are other elements of the Code that are also relevant:

4.1.2  News and current affairs programs are presented with care, having regard to the  likely composition of the viewing audience and, in particular, the presence of children;

2.14 Material which may distress or offend viewers: Only if there is an identifiable public interest reason may a licensee broadcast a news or current affairs program containing material which, in the licensee’s reasonable opinion, is likely to distress or offend a substantial number of viewers.

2.4.1 Exception for news, current affairs and broadcasts of sporting events: these programs do not require classification, provided that the licensee exercises care in selecting material for broadcast having regard to:
2.4.1.1 the likely audience of the program; and
2.4.1.2 any identifiable public interest reason for presenting the program material

Seven would undoubtedly argue that the use of the F-Bomb was an expression of the depth of Packer’s emotion, although it would be hard not to argue that bleeping the word could have still implied the same depth.

While Sunday Night did warn its audience of “bad language” was the audience adequately informed? Does “a little” mean the impact of the word, or the frequency? Given the show has included plenty of family-friendly stories in the past? In any case the media watchdog requires any complaints to be directed first to the broadcaster for resolution before it can be lodged with ACMA.

Interpretation of the Code and its intent will rest upon the circumstances should a complaint arrive to ACMA.

But it does nod to a bigger question of whether Language is likely to become looser in News and Current Affairs shows in 2013.

Today Tonight returns tonight on Seven with Helen Kapalos and Sharyn Ghidella in separate Eastern State editions. No warnings have been issued thus far…

21 Responses

  1. @oztvheritage on your last point that he wanted the most amount of people to watch it…hence why he appeared on Seven, the market leader… poppycock… if he wanted the most amount of people to hear about his developement, he would have appeared on 60 minutes and then on the project…. if you want your message to get …appear on everything…

  2. Seems like a whole lot of Barangaroo to me?

    But something I have never quite understood, if some one is so pure of mind, just how do they know a swear word is a swear word?

    But I do wonder just whose soul was being cleansed, James or Kerry’s ?

  3. @ joey….I totally agree and thought the same thing. You would think there would be some loyalty….and Ten could do with all the help it can. But at the end of they day Packer’s interview was to publicise his proposed development on the harbour in Sydney and therefore Packer would want the most possible people to see it….hence Seven the market leader.

  4. Spot on David!, one really wonders what is really happening in the boardroom of TEN. It seems to me that the biggest loser (excuse the pun) here is the TEN brand itself. Could you imagine Gyngell or Stokes on The Project panel. Seriously!!!! TEN

  5. This is not a word I like….but go outside your own house,…and you are bound to hear it….and your kids hear and probably use it …at school and elsewhere…more than you would care to know about….and this is not something new…I am talking over 30 to 40 years of it….have to agree with the post…
    steviem February 11, 2013 at 2:07 pm

  6. News is often live so it can’t be classified in advance.

    But there is an exception for News and current affair because it is important even though it is for adults. Otherwise there would be no daytime, afternoon or evening news. That is know and if parents don’t want their kids to see the violence etc then they shouldn’t let them watch it.

    No SBS can’t show a hard core pore version of the news. As the code says it must be in the public interest and must take into account the audience in that timeslot, even if it doesn’t have follow the classifications strictly.

    Infrequent course language is permissible in a PG slot if justified.

    Seven should probably have said extreme course language not bad course language so parents wouldn’t be surprised.

  7. The only F-Bomb that will be coming out of any great concern will be the one the other major shareholders at Ch 10 in their board room will be screaming today. What the hell is a major shareholder of Ch 10 (Packer) doing on another network going on a opposition show (Stokes). Me thinks the conspiracy theroy Nick Fallon warned us about could actually be true. Packer got involed in 10 so he could slowly drive the network to it’s knees. Prior to his involvement 10 was actually taking market share from the 7&9. One wondres how differnt tv land would be now if Gordon, Murdoch and Packer had no influence on 10.

    1. Thanks Joey. It is interesting that while the media has focussed on Packer’s historic ties to Nine and the free kick to Seven, they’ve said little about him being a TEN shareholder appearing on another network on the first day of the ratings year. Did his appearance diminish Modern Family and Bondi Rescue?

  8. And the cotton wool that smothers society gets ever deeper. The only people who care if the F word (even just having to say it like that galls me) is dropped are puritanical zealots. If the ankle biters are watching the news, or 60 minutes, or any other show that purports to have a degree of authenticity about it, and swearing is included, then parents have an ideal opportunity of explaining some of life’s moral codes to their kids. Goodness, that would be a novel approach wouldn’t it… parents explaining life to their kids so they can see it isn’t all cream puffs and roses.

    We live in sterilized times where any news item that has a negative context is immediately followed by the LifeLine telephone number.

    Grow up people.

    1. Whilst violence on TV is far more concerning than Language, viewers need to be able to make an informed decision when it comes to viewing content. It’s why we have a system in place. I’m not sure “a little bit” of bad language necessarily informed viewers of what was to come in a show that has featured plenty of family-friendly content. But that’s for others to resolve if they feel aggrieved.

  9. Is it really the case that viewers with delicate constitutions are likely to be offended by a few four letter words, and not by the fact that the entire piece was a blatant bit of PR for Packer as softens up the populace and the pollies to get his way over Barangaroo? Willessee – a once fearless interviewer – failed to ask any of the tough questions. In fact, it was such a cynical exercise that I seriously suspect the F words were left (or inserted deliberately) as part of the calculated attempt to paint Packer as just your everyday blokey bloke.

  10. If we are not allowed to swear….badly on this website why should ch7 be allowed to broadcast into peoples homes? Forget flimsey warnings etc, just an outright blanket ban across all networks before an agreed 8.30/9.00pm watershed. As usual regulation is feeble and weak. Its not fair on folk with young kids.

    @jonasboi…yeah, you could have a daily edition of world porno news

  11. Was surprised to hear it so early in the evening but not shocked Perhaps the word is losing it’s impact considering how often you hear it on television these days.

  12. Should have been introduced:
    “And a warning – this segment contains swearing and crocodile tears and, while pretending to be journalism, is actually a PR puff piece smoothing the way for another casino.”

  13. I don’t really think including the f bomb was needed. Sunrise showed one of the grabs today and silenced the f bomb but what he said still had the same impact. Is this a sign of things to come for Sunday Night?

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