From: fun@tertius.net.au.remove_this_spamtrap_to_email (David Gerard) Newsgroups: aus.censorship,aus.musicf Subject: ARIA newsletter on Code of Practice Date: 2 Jan 1997 05:58:50 GMT The following was scanned in from the ARIA Newsletter (No. 4, 1996). Note that this is the *official newsletter* of the organisation and is mailed to all industry members. Read the below carefully - I don't need to emphasis how much concern both the ARIA words and those of the OFLC (arrogant arseholes) give me. -----begin----- Censorship - Code of Practlce As reported in the previous newsletter, the Code of Practice for labelling product with explicit and potentially offensive Iyrics began implementation on 31 October 1996. By now all ARIA members should have obtained copies of the new labels and be stickering product in line with the Code. As reported previously, the seven States' and Temtories' Attorneys-General have given the Code a twelve month trial period. ARIA recently received a letter from the 0ffice of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC), the key sections of which are as follows: "The Ministers agreed to monitor the self-regulatory approach to offen- sive audio material as introduced by the code of practice over a 12 month trial period, with a view to replacing it with a regulatory system if it does not prove effective over that time. During tke trial period, the offensive audio material issue will remain on the agenda for the regular SCAG meetings and the States and Territories will closely monitor the level of complaints in their jurisdic tions, particularly concerning the effectiveness of the 18+ recommendatory category. Ministers also requested that your members be made aware that compli- ance with the ARIA code of practice will not provide them with an exemp- tion from existing State and Territory laws relating to the sale of offensive material. Indeed, it is quite probable that some rnaterial falling within the ARIA 18+ recommendatory category would be offensive under the relevant statutes of the different jurisdictions. Ministers have specifically requested that their above concerns on the issue of offensive audio material be conveyed to your organisation with a request that you provide a full report on the levels of compliance and com- plaint during the twelve month trial period. It would be appreciated if your report could also include details of any recommended fine-tuning amendments to the scheme and further serious consideration of the matter of the 18+ restriction on the sale of material containing stonger Iyrics. " As it is clear that the Ministers intend to monitor the operation of the Code very carefully, it is thus very important that all members comply. To enable ARIA to produce a report on the Code's operation it is very important that all members fill in a copy of the Labelling Reporting form, recently sent to you, every time a recording is stickered/restricted from sale. These forms should then be for- warded to ARIA at least quarterly. Members who did not receive a copy of the Reporting form should contact Karen Don at ARIA immediately. ----- end -----
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