Can a local community radio station say swear words on air like the f word after 9pm on a weekday night?

Question

i listen to this local radio station in Melbourne,Australia and the show i listen to starts at 9pm and Finnish at 11pm and they say swear word on air -can they do this,is it allowed?

Answer 1

Not in the US. Only cable TV programming, broadcasts you pay for, can use profanity and sexual situations during certain times of the day. Satellite radio is wide-open at all times.

I'm sure things in Australia are different and doubt that your local station would be using profanity if it weren't allowed. This isn't a perfect answer, but perhaps a native Aussie will see your question and give a more specific answer.

-a guy named duh

Answer 2

i now in canada u can

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The Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice (the Code) cover the matters prescribed in section 123 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the BSA), and other matters relating to program content that are of concern to the community. The Code is intended to operate alongside the Authority's Standards which regulate programs for children and the Australian content of programs and advertisements.

The Code is the result of an extensive consultation in 2002 with government advisory bodies, community interest groups and the public generally. The former ABA registered the revised code on the October 24, 2002.

The community broadcasting code of practice covers:

the responsibilities associated with broadcasting to the community;

complaint handling;

general programming guidelines;

guidelines for news and current affairs; and

Australian music content.

Recognising the particular requirements of community broadcasting, the codes also cover:

sponsorship;

volunteers; and

conflict resolution

Copies are available from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Suite 1, Level 3, 44-54 Botany Rd Alexandria NSW 2015 Australia. Tel: [phone]. Fax: [phone].

See the index (below) for the HTML version of the Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2002, or download the complete Code here:

Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2002 (RTF)

Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice 2002 (PDF)  

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Code 1 - Responsibilities of broadcasting to the community: Principles of democracy, diversity and independence

Code 2 - Guidelines for all programming

Code 3 - Australian music content

Code 4 - Sponsorship

Code 5 - Volunteers

Code 6 - Conflict resolution for internal disputes

Code 7 - Handling complaints from the public

Code 8 - Review of codes

Code 1 - Responsibilities of broadcasting to the community: Principles Of democracy, diversity and independence

The purpose of this code is to ensure that the 'Guiding Principles' are reflected in the day to day operations and programming of community broadcasters.

Community broadcasting stations will:

1.1 Have policies and procedures in place, relating to the licensees community of interest, which ensure access and equity and encourage participation by those not adequately served by other media.

1.2 Be controlled and operated by an autonomous body which is representative of the licensee's community of interest.

1.3 Have organisational mechanisms to provide for active participation by the licensees community in its management, development and operations.

1.4 Incorporate policies that apply to all station activities, which oppose and attempt to break down prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, race, chosen language, gender, sexual preference, religion, age, physical or mental ability, occupation, cultural belief or political affiliation

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Code 2 - Guidelines for all programming

The purpose of this code is to encourage programming that reflects the principles of community broadcasting; to break down prejudice and discrimination; and to prevent the broadcast of material, which is contrary to community standards.

2.1 Community broadcasting licensees shall not broadcast material which may

incite, encourage or present for their own sake violence or brutality;

simulate news or events in such a way as to mislead or alarm listeners; or

present as desirable the misuse of drugs including alcohol, narcotics and tobacco.

2.2 Community broadcasting licensees will avoid censorship wherever possible, however, consideration shall be given to the audience; the context; the degree of explicitness; the propensity to alarm, distress or shock; and the social importance of the event.

2.3 Community broadcasting licensees shall not broadcast material which may stereotype, incite, vilify, or perpetuate hatred against, or attempt to demean any person or group on the basis of ethnicity, nationality, race, chosen language, gender, sexual preference, religion, age, physical or mental ability, occupation, cultural belief or political affiliation. The requirement is not intended to prevent the broadcast of material which is factual, or the expression of genuinely held opinion in a news or current affairs program, or in the legitimate context of a humorous, satirical or dramatic work.

2.4 Community broadcasting licensees will establish programming practices which protect children from harmful program material.

2.5 Community broadcasting licensees in observance of privacy laws will

respect each person's legitimate right to protection from unjustified use of material, which is obtained without an individual's consent, or other unwarranted and intrusive invasions of privacy;

not broadcast the words of an identifiable person unless:

that person has been informed in advance that the words may be transmitted; or

in the case of words which have been recorded without the knowledge of the person, the person has subsequently, but prior to the transmission, indicated consent to the transmission of the words; or

the manner of the recording has made it manifestly clear that the material may be broadcast.

2.6 News and Current Affairs Programming

This code is intended to promote accuracy and fairness in news and current affairs programs. News and current affairs programs (including news flashes) programs should:

provide access to views under-represented by the mainstream media;

present factual material accurately and ensure that reasonable efforts are made to correct substantial errors of fact at the earliest possible opportunity;

clearly distinguish factual material from commentary and analysis;

not present news in such a way as to create public panic or unnecessary distress to listeners;

not misrepresent a viewpoint by giving misleading emphasis, editing out of context or withholding relevant available facts.

2.7 Indigenous programming and coverage of Indigenous Issues

This code acknowledges Indigenous peoples' special place as the first Australians, and offers a way to demonstrate respect for Indigenous cultures and customs, and to avoid offence with inappropriate words, phrases and actions.

In the following section, 'Indigenous Australians' refers to the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders of Australia.

When reporting on Indigenous people and issues, stations will take care to verify and observe the best way to respect Indigenous cultures and customs by

considering regional differences in the cultural practices and customs of Indigenous Australians

Seeking appropriate advice on how to best respect Indigenous bereavement customs on the reporting of people recently deceased

Using the appropriate words and phrases for referring to an Indigenous Australian and his/her regional group

2.8 Broadcasters will seek to involve and take advice from Indigenous Australians, and where possible Indigenous media organizations and/or Indigenous broadcasters, in the production of programs focusing on Indigenous people and issues.

2.9 Broadcasters will avoid prejudicial references to, or undue emphasis on a person who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.  

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Code 3 - Australian music content

'Australian Music' is defined as any music composed or performed by a citizen or ordinary resident of Australia.

This Code reinforces the community broadcasting sector's reputation as a medium committed to developing and recognising Australian composers and/or performers by providing opportunities to have their material broadcast on a regular basis.

The BSA does not require community broadcasters to maintain minimum content levels of Australian music. However, given the nature of the community broadcasting sector and its commitment to reflecting the diversity of Australian culture and the interests of local communities, it is crucial for a significant proportion of local and Australian music, including indigenous Australian music, to continue to be broadcast by community stations.

In selecting Australian musical items, community broadcasting stations should have regard for the make-up of the community served by the licensee.

3.1 Community broadcasters will ensure a proportion of the total number of musical items broadcast consist of:

not less than 25% Australian music items for all community broadcasting licensees except ethnic and classical stations as cited Clause 3.1(b) below;

not less that 10% Australian musical items for ethnic and classical stations.

(a) and (b) to be determined over one month

3.2 The music requirements cited (3.1 above) exclude the use of music in sponsorship announcements and program or station promotions.  

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Code 4 - Sponsorship

The purpose of this Code is to augment the sponsorship conditions set down in Schedule 2 of the BSA, including the requirement that not more than 5 minutes of the sponsorship announcements be broadcast in any one hour [Schedule 2 clause 9 (3)], and the need for each sponsors