Emma Rush, the lead author of “Corporate Paedophilia: sexualisation of children in Australia” raised a very important issue in her article “The Market is eating our children” published on Melinda Tankard Reist’s blog. Here is part of what she said –
That broadcasters review their classification of music videos specifically with regard to sexualising imagery;
That publishers consider providing reader advice, based on the Office of Film and Literature Classification systems of classifications and consumer advice, on magazine covers indicating the presence of material that may be inappropriate for children;
That the effectiveness of the Australian Association of National Advertisers’ Code for Advertising and Marketing Communications to Children, introduced in April 2008, be reviewed by the Senate in December 2009;
That the Advertising Standards Bureau consider adopting a process of pre-vetting advertisements either (a) at the request of the advertiser where they are concerned that the content of the material may be pushing the boundaries of the codes or (b) where an advertiser or agency has regularly produced advertising material that has been the subject of complaints; and
That the Advertising Standards Board rigorously apply standards for billboards and outdoor advertising to more closely reflect community concern about the appropriateness of sexually explicit material and the inability of parents to restrict exposure of children to such material.
Importantly, the Senate Inquiry also recommended a review of these recommendations which was supposed to have taken place in December 2009.. The review was to ensure that positive action was indeed being taken by industry bodies in the interests of the health and welfare of Australian children.
As of June 2011, this review hasn’t happened and the sexualisation of children continues apace.
When asked why the review hadn’t taken place, Emma Rush had this to say:
“My experience is that while politicians are usually well-motivated, they are also exceptionally busy. This means that the issues that get acted on are usually the ones that they receive most pressure about (as is sometimes said, ‘it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease’). Although we do have strong evidence and expert opinion in our favour, we need to keep the pressure on politicians to ensure they act.”
UPDATE
As of June 2011, we still have not seen a review of the senate inquiry take place. We have however seen very encouraging progress in the UK on this issue.
From Director of Kids Free 2B Kids, Julie Gale:
Kids Free 2B Kids welcomes the UK report of an Independent Review of the Commercialisation and Sexualisation of Childhood titled: Letting Children be Children.
It should be said that the Australian Government was seen to be leading the way on this issue, when it held a senate inquiry into the sexualisation of children in the contemporary media environment back in June 2008.
But the UK has now left us in its tracks….
In Australia there has been little to zero action on the recommendations from the 2008 inquiry.
The review promised 18 months later has never happened.
Recommendations from the Australian inquiry stated that although sexualisation is a societal issue and we are all responsible, the onus must lay with industry – that is advertisers, marketers, retailers, broadcasters…
In that time there has been absolutely no indication of proactive responsibility from industry.
We note UK Prime Minister David Cameron and the Children’s Minister will invite “a wide range of businesses and regulators into Downing Street in October and ask them to report on steps they have taken to address the issues raised in this report”.
We challenge the Australian Government to do the same…at the very least hold the promised review!
Furthermore, we challenge the Australian Government to pay heed to the increasing research and major concerns expressed by child psychiatrists and child psychologists.
We caution the UK to ensure the planned ‘stock-take’ in 18 months time’ actually happens.
Enough reports..enough recommendations…enough finger wagging at the industry…time for action!!
It’s time to put the pressure on. We want action on this issue and we need that review. So here’s what we want you to do:
In 2008 there was a Senate Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children in the Contemporary Media Environment. The report on this inquiry concluded that “the onus is on broadcasters, publishers, advertisers, retailers and manufacturers to take account of these community concerns [about the sexualisation of children]”.
A review of this report was to take place in December 2009, but that this has not yet happened. The UK has recently taken steps to challenge the sexualisation of children, releasing an inquiry report, Letting Children be Children. It was reported that the UK prime minister has invited a “wide range of businesses and regulators into Downing Street in October and ask them to report on steps they have taken to address the issues raised in this report”. I urge you to look at what similar action can be taken in Australia in response to our own 2008 Senate Inquiry. I would also like to know when the promised 18 month review of the 2008 senate inquiry – which was due to take place December 2009 -will take place.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
YOUR NAME.
Note: we don’t want all letters to be identical, so please use this letter as a guideline only. Include your personal concerns and experiences with this issue and let them know that this is an issue you will vote on. Your letter doesn’t need to be very long.
AND…please let us know when you’ve written, it is encouraging for other members and will help us to keep track of our progress. Feel free to post a copy and paste of any emails you send in the comment section below.
Melinda Tankard Reist recently discussed this issue on the morning show.
“The 2008 Senate Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children in the Contemporary Media Environment concluded that “the onus is on broadcasters, publishers, advertisers, retailers and manufacturers to take account of these community concerns [about the sexualisation of children]”. It recommended some actions these industry bodies could take, including:
Importantly, the Senate Inquiry also recommended a review of these recommendations which was supposed to have taken place in December 2009.. The review was to ensure that positive action was indeed being taken by industry bodies in the interests of the health and welfare of Australian children.
As of June 2011, this review hasn’t happened and the sexualisation of children continues apace.
We invite you to read the full article – The Market is Eating our Children.
When asked why the review hadn’t taken place, Emma Rush had this to say:
“My experience is that while politicians are usually well-motivated, they are also exceptionally busy. This means that the issues that get acted on are usually the ones that they receive most pressure about (as is sometimes said, ‘it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease’). Although we do have strong evidence and expert opinion in our favour, we need to keep the pressure on politicians to ensure they act.”
UPDATE
As of June 2011, we still have not seen a review of the senate inquiry take place. We have however seen very encouraging progress in the UK on this issue.
From Director of Kids Free 2B Kids, Julie Gale:
It’s time to put the pressure on. We want action on this issue and we need that review. So here’s what we want you to do:
Find your senator here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/index.htm
Find your member of parliament here:
http://www.aph.gov.au/HOUSE/members/member_photo_state.asp
Write to them. You might say something like:
Dear Sir/Madam,
In 2008 there was a Senate Inquiry into the Sexualisation of Children in the Contemporary Media Environment. The report on this inquiry concluded that “the onus is on broadcasters, publishers, advertisers, retailers and manufacturers to take account of these community concerns [about the sexualisation of children]”.
A review of this report was to take place in December 2009, but that this has not yet happened. The UK has recently taken steps to challenge the sexualisation of children, releasing an inquiry report, Letting Children be Children. It was reported that the UK prime minister has invited a “wide range of businesses and regulators into Downing Street in October and ask them to report on steps they have taken to address the issues raised in this report”. I urge you to look at what similar action can be taken in Australia in response to our own 2008 Senate Inquiry. I would also like to know when the promised 18 month review of the 2008 senate inquiry – which was due to take place December 2009 -will take place.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
YOUR NAME.
Note: we don’t want all letters to be identical, so please use this letter as a guideline only. Include your personal concerns and experiences with this issue and let them know that this is an issue you will vote on. Your letter doesn’t need to be very long.
AND…please let us know when you’ve written, it is encouraging for other members and will help us to keep track of our progress. Feel free to post a copy and paste of any emails you send in the comment section below.
Melinda Tankard Reist recently discussed this issue on the morning show.
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