Internet Filtering

While welcoming internet filtering of some extreme pornographic material by the Fed Govt, Saltshakers in their Feb 2010 newsletter, expressed concern with the process where pro-life websites could also be banned. A trial of the filtering programme last year also included a ban on the site of Abortion TV, a pro-life webpage that contained photographs of aborted babies. Saltshakers is concerned that websites could simply be banned because they were deemed unacceptable to the authorities or people administering the system. “We need to know who will be responsible, and what accountability/transparency there will be,” Saltshakers says.

SA R-rated Films

The South Australian Govt has introduced a law which means any R-rated film on display in a general outlet containing films containing films with lower classifications, must be displayed in plain packaging.  One film promoter said he was gobsmacked because it would discourage people from watching these films and would be harmful to the R-rated film promotors.

For more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/industry-alarm-at-r-rated-cover-up/story-e6frg6nf-1225819431495

TV Ministry

SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, aired their first live program recently on SAT-7 PARS.

For more: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/13627

Weeds

Reported worse than Californication. Weeds is made for US Cable TV by Showtime as is being shown on Channel 9 GO. It started Nov 29 10pm Sunday nights. For info: http://go.ninemsn.com.au/weeds/

For article “Has Nine gone to pot”: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv/has-nine-gone-to-pot/story-e6frf9ho-1111112707274

Action: Saltshakers says that if you see a program that concerns you, please write to the TV station and express your concern. For ideas on how to take action on TV and TV contact details: http://www.saltshakers.org.au/take-action/television

Californication

Channel 10 is showing Californication again. Last year with a strong campaign from Saltshakers and FamilyVoice more than 50 advertisers told Channel 10 they did NOT want their ads shown during the programme. There were 64 companies that did the same in series 1 in 2007. It is being screened Wednesday nights at 9.30pm. Saltshakers is monitoring the program for breaches of the Code of Practice and for some sponsors and advertisers. Last year ACMA found the program breached the code on a couple of occasions but it is still being shown!

Action: Saltshakers is asking people to write a short letter to channel 10.

• Ask them NOT to show the program.
• Remind them of the number of companies that have told Channel Ten NOT to show their ads on the program over the past two years.

You will need to send your letter by post or fax (no email address is available).

To find the address for your state go to http://ten.com.au/contact-us.htm

ACMA Code

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a new industry code of practice that was implemented from Jan 1, 2010.

For more: http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=pc_311991

Who Benefits?

Australian Commercial TV operators have been assisted to expand their advertising revenue after the Aust Govt announced it would spend $160m to make TV stations available to a further 247,000 households in regional areas. For the Govt media release: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/001

Story: http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/satellite-plan-for-rural-tv-viewers/1718794.aspx

Internet Filtering

The Communications Minister Stephen Conroy announced that the Govt will make it compulsory for Internet Service Providers to filter the worst of the worst pornography and violence from the internet.

This means that child porn, rape porn, bestiality and anything else judged as Refused Classification (RC) under Australia’s classification laws, such as instruction in crime and drug use, will be blocked.

The Australian Christian Lobby says that this is a great first step in protecting children from the harms of pornography online.

For Conroy’s media release: http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115

Action: the ACL asks people to write to Sen Conroy thanking him for this move. The ACL says that it is important that the minister hears from people when he announces good policy and from people with real concerns for the safety of kids online. Contact details:

Senator Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Level 4, 4 Treasury Place
Melbourne Vic 3002

His e-mail address is senator.conroy@aph.gov.au.

Google Anti-Christian?

Search engine Google has come under question in emails and blogs because of it apparent pro-islam and anti-Christian viewpoint. When typing in the Google search bar “Christianity is”, Google provides a long list of negative anti-Christian suggestions such as ..is a lie, is evil.  When typing “Islam is” no suggestions come up. When using Search engine Bing the opposite seems to occur.

To see more: http://www.jihadwatch.org/2010/01/google-blocks-negative-search-recommendations-on-islam.html

Movie Roundup

In addition to the other reviews posted here, we’ve included links to some reviews of other movies that we urge you to look at when considering what movies to watch over the holiday period.

9

http://www.youngmedia.org.au/mediachildren/07_04/07_04_502_9.htm

Planet 51

http://www.movieguide.org/box-office/6/10051/planet-51

http://www.youngmedia.org.au/mediachildren/07_04/07_04_503_planet-51.htm

Where the Wild Things Are

http://www.youngmedia.org.au/mediachildren/07_04/07_04_500_where-wild-things-are.htm

2012

http://www.movieguide.org/movie-channels?cid=27

In addition, refer to the earlier post for a review of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

http://www.movieguide.org/box-office/6/10051/planet-51http://www.youngmedia.org.au/mediachildren/07_04/07_04_503_planet-51.htm