Code 4 - Material Not Suitable For Broadcast

This Code is from the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice (2025) and goes into effect on 1 July 2025. For information about the current Codes of Practice visit https://www.cbaa.org.au/community-broadcasting/codes-of-practice-current.

CODE

1. We will not:
   1. simulate news or events in such a way that is likely to mislead or alarm listeners;
   2. present as desirable the use of illegal drugs, the misuse of tobacco or alcohol as well as other harmful substances;
   3. promote or encourage harmful or excessive gambling;
   4. promote gambling, gambling information (other than prevention or support information) or gambling live odds immediately before, during, or immediately after sporting events;
   5. broadcast material that is likely to be harmful to children, without giving reasonable warning;
   6. present suicide as a solution to problems or broadcast details about suicide like method or location;
   7. broadcast material that is likely to incite or encourage, or present for their own sake, violence, or brutality; or
   8. broadcast material that expresses, provokes, or perpetuates hatred, serious contempt or significant ridicule of any person or group of persons because of age, disability, mental ill-health, medical conditions, sex characteristics, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, nationality, culture, religion or being from a lower socio-economic community.
      
      
2. The application of 4.1 is guided by the context of the material. Material that is likely to cause harm and offence must be justified by context, and adequate protective measures provided. Code 4.1 does not prevent the legitimate presentation of factual material, a fair report of, discussion or a fair comment on, a matter of public interest or material that is humorous, satirical, artistic or dramatic in nature. When assessing context, including in relation to the assessment of complaints, factors to be considered will include the nature of the content including its genre, subject matter and editorial purpose, and our community interest.
   
   
3. Our programming decisions will align with contemporary community standards.

PRIVACY

4. We will not broadcast the words of an identifiable person or material that relates to a person’s personal or private affairs or invades a person’s privacy or intrudes into their private life, unless:
   1. there is a clear public interest reason for the material to be broadcast; or
   2. the person has provided informed consent, whether explicit or implicit, for the material to be broadcast (or in the case of a person under 16, a parent or guardian has given implicit or explicit consent).
      
      
5. We will exercise special care before using material relating to a child’s personal or private affairs in the broadcast of a report of a sensitive matter concerning the child.