YMA challenges MA15+ change

To "A" or not to"A"?

The OFLC has announced that the film and computer game classification category "MA15+" (Mature Accompanied; children under the age of 15years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian) is to be changed. This decision, taken by the State and Territory Ministers responsible for classification, follows research undertaken by the OFLC which showed that there was a very low public understanding of the meaning of the "MA15+"symbol. (see OFLC Annual Report, 2002-2003, Appendix Five, p. 102).

The new symbol for this category is to be "A15+" where, the "A" symbol will mean "Accompanied".

Will that decision make things better? YMA has its doubts. There seem to be a number of issues that arise.

Firstly, there appears to have been a lack of consultation with the wider public on this change. The OFLC has only recently completed an 18 month review of the classification guidelines for films and computer games. The change now proposed was not canvassed during that time.

Secondly, the change seems to have been approved following some focus group testing of the new symbol. Was that adequate testing? Wider consultation might have come up with even better solutions. For example, as part of the OFLC's 1991-2003 review, YMA proposed (and was supported by Dr Jeffrey Brand, the reviewer of the 300 plus community submissions) that the whole set of classification symbols be changed to an age-based system that would provide a better tool for parents. YMA said the system should be G, G8+ (replacing PG), G13+ (replacing M), and then moving to the legally enforceable classifications of M 15+, and R18+.

Thirdly, will this change apply to TV, and how? At present, the Commercial TV Australia Code uses the symbol "MA", but the meaning given to it is "Mature Audience", and the explanation which accompanies this is that "this program is considered suitable for viewing only by persons 15 years and over". In YMA's view, this combination offers a stronger warning than the OFLC's "MA", which uses "Mature Accompanied, and "this [material] is considered unsuitable for persons under 15 years of age”. Does "Mature Accompanied" have the same relevance in the home situation??

Further, TV has the additional classification of "AV" which means "Adult violence". We have a situation where there are three different meanings ascribed to "A", viz Adult, Accompanied and Audience. YMA holds the view that a single initial should stand for the same word in all classifications. However, YMA would not support the dilution of the present TV system, with its later time slot and different classification for more violent TV programs.

The amendments to the Classification Act 1995 were to have been debated in Parliament before Christmas, but have been delayed until its resumption in February. This delay provides the opportunity to go back to the drawing board, do some research on what is comprehensible and really useful to the general public.

Let the Attorney General, Philip Ruddock, know what you think.