The Australian Communications and Media Authority has just released its draft Children’s Television Standards. One recommendation is to prevent the use of celebrities to market junk food. Another is to restrict the use of toys as sales incentives.
Health groups are upset that the standards do not impose further restrictions on junk food advertising during children’s viewing times.
However, some states are fighting back. The Queensland and South Australian governments have released discussion papers on whether there should be restrictions on junk food advertising to children.
And the Green Party is planning to revive a Senate Bill to ban junk food advertising during children’s viewing hours.
Junk food ads to stay: regulator
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a new draft of the Children’s Television Standards. It has decided not to impose further restrictions on advertising during children’s television hours, saying that existing research does not show a causal link between TV advertising and obesity in children.
Read more: Sydney Morning Herald, 28 Aug 2008
New push for junk food ad bans
Summarises reactions to the ACMA’s decision not to restrict TV junk food advertising to children.
Read more: The Age, 28 Aug 2008
OPC calls for national approach to junk food advertising
“Evidence shows that advertising influences the types of foods children want to eat and then pester their parents to buy. It creates real headaches for parents trying to instil healthy habits in their children”
Read more: Press release, Obesity Policy Coalition, 28 Aug 2008
Junk food ad bans on the menu
Queensland’s premier Anna Bligh has released a discussion paper on whether there should be restrictions on junk food advertising on children’s television.
Read more: Queensland government website
SA to push on with junk food ad bans
The South Australian government has released a consultation paper with a range of options for limiting advertising of junk food to children, including a complete ban during children’s viewing times.
Read more: Independent Weekly, 26 Aug 2008
Greens renew action in Senate to tackle obesity
The Australian Green Party plans to revive a Bill to ban junk food advertising during children’s TV viewing hours.
Read more: News, Green Party website, 22 Aug 2008
