Community, health and children’s organisations are warning of the disastrous impact of proposed changes to the Commercial TV Industry Code that could allow 800 hours of additional alcohol ads on television each year.
The Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice is overseen by the commercial television stations under the banner of “Free TV” and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Free TV is proposing to change the Code to extend alcohol advertising on weekends, public holidays and during school holidays – plus continue to advertise alcohol during sports, when children are more likely to be watching.
Community organisations and advocates have submitted objections to the proposed changes citing concerns about the increased risk of harm to women and children.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority – the independent Commonwealth statutory authority that regulates media – can intervene under the Broadcasting Services Act, if industry standards are not meeting community expectations.
In 2022 they developed a policy paper on what audiences expect around content safeguards, and found “ongoing concerns that existing alcohol, gambling and junk food advertising restrictions do not go far enough, noting the nature of harms associated with gambling, alcohol and junk food consumption involve complex health and social issues.”
The Act states that broadcasting services should, “place a high priority on the protection of children from exposure to program material which may be harmful to them” and that industry codes “provide appropriate community safeguards”.
Under a self-policing system, this is clearly not happening. The rules around how alcohol is advertised should not be left to corporations that have their profits, and not community safety as their guiding star.
According to our latest polling, 90% of the community is concerned about the potential for more alcohol ads on television.
These concerns have been formally raised to Free TV by numerous organisations and individuals through their consultation process, however there is currently no public record of these submissions.
In the interests of transparency, we are sharing below the submissions we are aware have been lodged with Free TV. Want yours listed? Email us at campaigns@fare.org.au.
The proposal by Free TV to extend alcohol advertising comes after the Australian Government’s Rapid Review on accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence, recommended that “given the statistical increase in DFSV incidents during football grand finals, as well as the high number of children who watch sport on television and mobile apps, the Review recommends that alcohol advertising be restricted during sporting events”.
Research shows that women and children are at higher risk of violence during sports broadcasts and on public holidays, yet these broadcasters are proposing to increase alcohol advertising during these times.
We also know that significantly increasing children’s exposure to alcohol marketing is linked to young people drinking at earlier ages and at riskier levels.
The proposal by Free TV demonstrates they are out of step with community expectations and completely disregard the advice provided by the expert panel, which strongly urged the government to further restrict advertising.
FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
©2025 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C
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