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In order to abide by the rules and regulations set out by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) as well as the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), M-Net imposes age restrictions and provides consumer information to alert subscribers of disturbing or harmful material for particular age groups.
The Film and Publications Board (FPB) classifies all theatrically released movies and a certificate from the Board is available. Although most of the films M-Net broadcast have been classified by the FPB, the films are viewed by the Programme Acceptance Unit to maintain M-Net's standards of classifications and extensive consumer advice.
M-Net classifies films or programming rather than censors them. Classification involves the regulation of films and short format programming by means of imposing age restrictions and providing sufficient consumer advice, which provides information about the theme and content, which ultimately leaves the subscriber the choice of what they want to see.
Although some classifications are legally restrictive, it is up to the parents to decide what their children are allowed to see.
There are mechanisms within the decoders, which offer further choices of parental control as well as dual audio i.e. censored or uncensored soundtracks.
The following aspects, otherwise known as classifiable elements, will influence an age restriction or classification of either a film or short format Programme:
Language, Sex, Nudity, Violence, Prejudice or negative stereotyping, whether racial, religious or gender, Treatment of issues, Theme and the overall impact of the film.
The frequency and intensity of these classifiable elements will determine the age restriction and the appropriate consumer advice, which applies to the film or short format Programme. All these aspects are taken into consideration when classifying a Programme, but only symbols of consumer advice are used, those being: Sex (S),
Violence (V), Nudity (N) and Language (L).
If you have any comments or queries, please feel free to contact a member of the Programme Acceptance Department, or email us.
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| GUIDELINES |
A
General Audience. All ages admitted. This signifies that the film rated contains nothing most parents will consider offensive for even their youngest children to see or hear. Nudity, sex scenes, and scenes of drug use are absent; violence is minimal; snippets of dialogue may go beyond polite conversation but do not go beyond common everyday expressions.
PG
Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children. This signifies that the film rated may contain some material parents might not like to expose to their young children - material that will clearly need to be examined or inquired about before children are allowed to view the movie or program. Explicit sex scenes and scenes of drug use are absent; nudity, if present, is seen only briefly, horror and violence do not exceed moderate levels.
PG13
This is an advisory category that requires parental guidance for a person younger than 13. However, children over the age of 13 do not require adult supervision. Themes may be complex but the outcome should be positive. The overall message should be reassuring to a child’s sense of security and well being. Threat and menace, occurring visually or orally, should be judged as not disturbing to younger viewers. Fantasy or unrealistic violence may be more frequent. Particular regard should be given to the types of violence that children can experience in their everyday life, for example, domestic or community violence.
13
This is a restrictive classification, not suitable for viewers under the age of 13 and parents are strongly cautioned. This signifies that the film or program rated may be inappropriate for pre-teens. Parents should be especially careful about letting their younger children see. Themes may be more adult than the previous classifications. They may contain troubling social or moral issues, but are handled with sensitivity. Outcomes are positive and viewers 13 years and older must be able to understand them. There may be scenes of drug abuse, but no instructive detail is allowed. Violence may be more intense and realistic but not be detailed or prolonged, although there may be occasional gory moments. Violence should not be gratuitous and should be justified contextually in terms of the plot or story line. Sex scenes must be justified in context, furthering the plot or character or theme. There may be strong language, not always in the context of the story.
16
This signifies that the programme acceptance department has concluded that the film or program rated contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before allowing their children to see it. A 16 may be assigned due to, among other things, a film's use of language, theme, violence, sex or its portrayal of drug use.
18
No one under 18 is permitted. This signifies that the programme acceptance department believes that most parents would feel that the film is patently adult and that children age 18 and under should not be admitted to it. The film may contain explicit sex scenes, an accumulation of sexually-oriented language, or scenes of excessive violence. The 18 designation does not, however, signify that the rated film is obscene or pornographic.
R18
Strictly no one 18 and under is permitted. Films or videos which are unlawful or potentially harmful will, where possible, be rejected altogether. 'Taboo' themes are acceptable, but not if their treatment is likely to encourage harm to viewers or, through their behaviour, to society. The following are of greatest concern:
» graphic rape or torture;
» sadistic violence or terrorisation;
» illegal or instructive drug use;
» material likely to incite racial violence;
» portrayals of children in a sexualised or violent context;
» sex accompanied by non-consensual pain, injury or humiliation;
» bestiality or necrophilia, or other material likely to be found obscene by the courts.
Main Concerns
This section of the Guidelines sets out some concerns which apply, to a greater or a lesser degree, at all classification levels. The concerns are listed in the same order on the paragraphs following, which provide specific guidance for 'A' through to '18'.
Theme
The acceptability of a theme is determined by its treatment i.e., the context and sensitivity of its presentation. However, the most problematic themes (for example drug abuse or paedophilia) are unlikely to be appropriate at the most junior levels of classification. Correspondingly, there is no reason in principle why any theme, however difficult, could not be satisfactorily handled at '18' or even '16'.
Language
Many people are offended, some of them deeply, by bad language, including the use of expletives with a religious association. The extent of that offence varies according to age, background and beliefs. Different groups (for example, ethnic community) have their own, separate standards of acceptability. Additionally, the severity of any particular word or expression will depend upon the context within which it is used.
For these reasons, it is impossible to set out comprehensive lists of acceptable words or expressions which will satisfy all sections of the public. The advice at different classification levels, therefore, provides general guidance with reference to specific terms only where there is a reasonable consensus of opinion.
Nudity
Natural nudity, providing there is no sexual context or sub-text, is acceptable at all classification levels.
Sex
The portrayal of human sexual activity is not permitted at 'A' or 'PG'. In 'PG13' rated material it may be implied. Progressively more graphic portrayal may be included at '16' and '18' depending on the emphasis given to responsible, loving and developing relationships. There is equality in terms of the standards set for legal heterosexual and homosexual behaviour.
The 'R18' category is primarily for soft porn adult videos of consenting sex between adults. 'R18' movies or programs may be scheduled to only air late at night, way after family viewing in what is normally called post-watershed period where no-one under 18 can potentially watch.
Violence
Violence has been a feature of entertainment for children and adults since the first stories were told. It is an element in many serious representations of the human condition. We can, however, address the degree and nature of violence through our classification system.
In making decisions, our concerns include
- portrayal of violence as a normal solution to problems
- heroes who inflict pain and injury
- callousness towards victims
- encouraging aggressive attitudes
- taking pleasure in pain or humiliation
Material which glorifies or glamorises violence will receive a more restrictive classification and may even be rejected.
Sexual Violence
M-Net has a strict policy on rape and sexual violence. Where the portrayal eroticises or endorses sexual assault, the programme acceptance department is likely to require rejects at any classification level.
Any association of sex with non-consensual restraint, pain or humiliation may be reject.
Imitable Techniques
M-Net is also concerned about detailed portrayal of criminal and violent techniques and the glamorisation of weapons. The use of weapons which are easily accessible
to young people might be restricted. Imitable combat techniques may also be rejected.
Any action which would be likely to promote illegal or anti-social behaviour in real life is of particular concern. Imitable detail of criminal techniques may be unacceptable at any classification level. Potentially dangerous activity presented as safe and exciting is of particular concern in works aimed at children.
M-Net is most concerned about material, where a technique can be watched again and again until the lesson is learned.
Horror
Horror films are subject to the same Guideline constraints as all other films. M-Net recognises that audiences like to see horror films because they like being frightened. The programme acceptance department will not reject films simply because they alarm or shock. Instead, it classifies them to ensure that the young and vulnerable are protected.
Drugs
No work taken as a whole, even at '18', may promote or encourage the use of illegal drugs. Clear instructive detail is unacceptable at all levels up to '16'. Even at '18', such detail may only be acceptable if there are exceptional considerations of context. Glamorising detail is a particular concern.
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THE COMPLAINTS PROCESS |
» Why?
» What is a complaint?
» Will I get a reply? When?
» Who replies?
» How will the M-Net report on complaints?
» What happens if I don't get a reply?
» What can I do if I don't like the reply?
» What happens to my complaint if I have asked not to receive a reply?
» Can I complain to an outside body?
Why?
M-Net is required, in terms of Section 6(5) of the Broadcasting Act, to develop policies that are intended to ensure compliance with the ICASA's Code of Conduct, our License conditions and the provisions of the Act. In terms of section 56(1) of the Act, "all broadcasting licensees shall adhere to the Code of Conduct for Broadcasting Services as set out in Schedule 1". M-Net, for quite some time now, has had an internal process for compliance as well as for dealing with programming complaints. We have strengthened those processes to make sure it's clear how to complain and that we properly address your concerns when you do. We have committed ourselves to respond to complaints within ten working days of their receipt.
What is a complaint?
M-Net receives lots of feedback, both negative and positive. We typically treat something as a complaint if it is a criticism which expects a reply and would like things to be changed.
Will I get a reply? When?
We aim to respond to the complaints within ten days after their initial receipt.
Who replies?
When you complain via the form on this site, the reply will come either from the department responsible for the output you are complaining about or from M-Net Programming Department depending on the nature of your complaint.
How will M-Net report on complaints?
This website will report on the volume and range of complaints we've received and, where appropriate, our responses and details of any clarifications, corrections and remedial actions taken. Please visit Read our responses or, for quarterly reports, visit Review complaints reports.
A Magic Management Action Group (MMAG) which consists of senior executives will ensure that lessons we learn from complaints are fed into programming and managerial processes. The MMAG will monitor the overall effectiveness of complaints-handling across all M-Net Channels.
What happens if I don't get a reply?
It's best to contact M-Net Programming Department from 08:00 to 17:00, weekdays on 011 686 6000 so they can check up for you.
What can I do if I don't like the reply?
If you are unhappy with our response, and your complaint is about a specific programme which you believe has breached the M-Net's programming standards, you can appeal to the Magic Management Action Group which examines such complaints independently. The Programming Department's address is The Chairperson, Magic Management Action Group, PO Box 2963, Pinegowrie, 2123, South Africa.
What happens to my complaint if I have asked not to receive a reply?
If you complain via this site, your criticisms are still noted and circulated to key staff across M-Net, who receive a daily report on the complaints we receive.
Can I complain to an outside body?
Yes, you can complain to the BCCSA when you feel strongly that M-Net has contravened the Broadcasting Code of Conduct.
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