Office of Film and Literature Classification (Australia)
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| Office of Film and Literature Classification | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1970 (for films), 1994 (for video games) |
| Superseding agency | Attorney-General's Department |
| Jurisdiction | Commonwealth of Australia |
| Minister responsible | Robert McClelland, Attorney-General |
| Parent agency | Attorney-General's Department |
| Child agencies | Classification Board Classification Review Board |
| Website | |
| http://www.classification.gov.au | |
The Office of Film and Literature Classification is a statutory censorship and classification body which provides day to day administrative support for the Classification Board which classifies films, video games and publications in Australia, and the Classification Review Board which reviews films, computer games and publications when a valid application has been made.
The Classification Board and the Classification Review Board are established by the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (Cth). This Act also contains the National Classification Code.
The Office of Film and Literature Classification has taken 'censorship' out of its title. However, it is able to censor media by refusing classification and making the media illegal for hire, exhibition and importation to Australia.
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[edit] Organisation
In February 2006 Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced that the policy and administrative functions of the OFLC would become part of the Attorney-General’s Department, and, while the Classification Board and Classification Review Board would continue to make classification decisions, they would be serviced by a secretariat from the Attorney-General’s Department.
[edit] Members
Donald McDonald has been named as the new director but yet to be appointed by the Attorney-General’s Department. Critics are concerned the appointment facilitates the Government's ability to control or restrict material, in particular that which incites or instructs terrorism.[1]
The current members of the Classification Board:
- Olya Booyar (deputy director)
- Wendy Banfield (senior classifier)
- Marie-Louise Carroll (senior classifier)
- Jeremy Fenton
- Alexandra Greene
- Robert Sanderson
- Rodney Smith
- Lynn Townsend
The current members of the Classification Review Board:
- Maureen Shelley (convenor)
- Trevor Griffin (deputy convenor)
- Rob Shilkin
- Kathryn Smith
- Gillian Groom
- Anthony Hetrih
[edit] Controversy
Censorship of films in Australia is, relative to most practice in the west, strict. Ken Park, a film depicting teenaged sexuality, was refused classification in 2002. In the same year, Baise Moi was similarly refused. Salo was banned in 2008. In 2005, Mysterious Skin and 9 Songs were refused classification by the board.
Since 1994, the OFLC has taken a strict stance on pornographic Japanese animation, censoring anime submitted by Siren Visual Entertainment, Island Records and Kiseki Films. The most controversial anime to be censored in Australia was Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend and was the first animated film to be censored in the country, making news headlines nationwide with many other films and OVAs in the series to be censored. The OFLC has also made a controversial decision to make the rating of The Castle of Cagliostro M, when it was released in 1996 by Manga Entertainment with the PG classification when resubmitted by Madman Entertainment, who had lost the rights to all Manga Entertainment elements of the Lupin the 3rd series.
[edit] Classification of Video Games
Despite a line in the National Classification Code stating that "adults should be able to read, hear and see what they want", the adult R18+ classification does not currently exist for video games.
The OFLC takes a strict stance with video games and video game classification in Australia is the most strict in the Western World in terms of not having an adult's rating (R18+) with some Attorneys-General having conservative views on the matter. Though Australia has no R rating, there are many examples of games getting much lenient ratings than other countries. Such games would include Halo 3 which got an M (BBFC:15, ESRB: M(17),New Zealand (R16)), The Witcher which got an MA15+(18 from PEGI,BBFC, cut for ESRB for a M(17)), Dead Rising a MA15+(18 from BBFC and PEGI, Z from CERO) and Dead or Alive: xtreme 2 getting a PG (17 from ESRB and CERO).
Currently only Michael Atkinson, South Australian Attorney-General opposes the R18 classification introduction and is also blocking the release of a public paper that canvasses the opinion of the Australian public on whether or not an R18 classification should be introduced. Studies done by Bond University indicate that a majority of people whom they interviewed want an R18 rating to be introduced and many Psychologists back this study and condemn Michael Atkinson.
[edit] Film and video game classifications
[edit] Advisory
The classifications below are advisory in nature--they are not legally binding.
E (Exempt from Classification) - These films are granted permission to be sold without a specific classification. This classification is usually granted to (and not limited to) educational content such as documentaries, concerts, fitness programmes, educational software, live TV and non-violent sporting events. Currently there is no predetermined marking for exempt films and computer games [1], although it is advised that films and computer games that are exempt display “This film/computer game is exempt from classification”.
The content varies depending on the show / film. Any film or computer game which is to be rated E must not exceed the PG rating.
G (General) - These films and computer games are for general viewing. However, G does not necessarily designate a children’s film or game as many of these productions contain content that would be of no interest to children.
The content is minimal in impact.
PG (Parental guidance recommended) - These films and computer games contain material that may confuse or upset younger viewers.
The content is mild in impact on children.
M (Recommended for mature audiences) - These films and computer games contain material that requires a mature perspective, but is still not enough to be deemed too extreme for younger players. This classification was formerly known as M15+, but was changed to simply M to distinguish it from the higher (and restricted) rating of MA15+. This is the highest unrestricted rating.
The content is moderate in impact.
[edit] Restricted
By contrast, the classifications below are legally restricted--i.e., it is illegal to sell or exhibit materials so classified to a person younger than the respective age limit.
MA15+ (Restricted) - The content is considered unsuitable for exhibition by persons under the age of 15. Persons under 15 may only legally purchase or exhibit MA15+ rated content under the supervision of an adult guardian. This is a legally restricted category.
, , , and are the current game ratings. Games cannot be given the adult ratings 
or 
, instead they will be Refused Classification (Banned) and cannot be sold.
There are five classification categories for video games: E, G, PG, M, MA15+. Video games which exceed the impact of what the MA15+ rating allows are rated Refused Classification, or banned. Refused Classification games may be edited and resubmitted by their developers to garner an MA15+ classification. People under 15 are not permitted to purchase or rent films or video games classified MA15+ unless they are accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
The content is strong in impact.
R18+ (Restricted) - People under 18 may not buy, rent or exhibit these films.
The content is high in impact.
X18+ (Restricted) - People under 18 may not buy, rent or exhibit these films.
This rating applies to sexual content.
Films rated X18+ are currently legally available for purchase in only the ACT and the Northern Territory. However these films may be legally purchased from interstate via mail-order. Enforcement is relaxed and most adult shops carry extensive stock of X18+ material. This category of films is not recommended for children.
[edit] Refused Classification
Films which are very high in impact and/or contain any type of violence in conjunction with real sexual intercourse are rated Refused Classification by the OFLC. Films which may be Refused Classification include content that:
- Depict, express or otherwise deals with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified.
- Depict in a way that is likely to cause offence to a reasonable adult a minor who is, or who appears to be, under 16 (whether or not engaged in sexual activity).
- Promote, incite or instruct in matters of crime or violence.
Classification is mandatory, and films that are rated Refused Classification by the OFLC are banned for sale, hire or public exhibition, carrying a maximum fine of $275,000 and/or 10 years jail. It is legal to possess Refused Classification material, unless it has been rated Refused Classification due to illegal content (e.g. child pornography).
[edit] Previous video game ratings
These ratings are still shown on some older video games that are still on sale in Australia:
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G – General : The G classification is for a general audience. |
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G8+ – General for children over 8 years of age: Material classified G8+ may contain material which some children find confusing or upsetting, and may require the guidance of parents or guardians. It is not recommended for viewing by people under 8 without guidance from parents or guardians. This rating has since been changed to PG. |
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M – Mature: Despite the title, material classified M15+ is not recommended for people under 12 years of age. Nonetheless, there are still no legal restrictions on access. This rating has since been changed to M to prevent confusion with the stronger MA15+ classification. |
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MA15+ – Mature Audiences (Restricted): Material classified MA15+ is considered unsuitable for people under 15 years of age. It is a legally restricted category. People under the age of 15 are not allowed to purchase or hire unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. |
Any video game that did NOT fall into one of these categories was rated Refused Classification (Banned).
[edit] Literature Ratings
– Unrestricted
– Unrestricted – Mature- Not recommended for readers under 15.
– Restricted Category 1 – Not available to persons under 18 years.
– Restricted Category 2 – Pornographic in nature; restricted as above.
Any literature that does NOT fall into any of the above categories is rated Refused Classification (Banned). It is uncommon for these ratings to appear on books.
[edit] See also
- Censorship in Australia
- Advertising Standards Bureau (Australia)
- Banned films, which includes an extensive list of films banned in Australia.
- Video game controversy Looks at the history of games censorship in Australia
- Internet censorship in Australia
- List of pornography laws by region Australian hardcore pornography laws.
- CERO, the Japanese computer and video game rating system
- ESRB, the United States and Canadian computer and video game rating system
- ELSPA, the former British computer and video game rating system, replaced by the PEGI ratings.
- MPAA film rating system, the United States film rating system
- PEGI, the European computer and video game rating system
- USK, the German computer and video game rating system
- OFLC, the New Zealand media rating system
- IFCO, the Irish censorship rating system.
- Game Rating Board, Korea Game rating system
- List of video game organizations
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] External links
- Refused-Classification.com Database of films, games, and books that have had problems with the OFLC
- Libertus Australia a website maintained by Irene Graham, the executive director of EFA.
- The Chopping List Database of films that have had censorship problems in Australia
- Regular email updates to OFLC rating changes Kinesis Interactive Design's OFLC Rating Update service - free service reporting changes and new classifications
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