'Big Bro' web furor sparks review
World Brief
ACMA is powerless to punish Ten for the incident -- which happened July 1 when a male housemate restrained a female housemate while another waved his genitals in her face -- because it only has jurisdiction over stored Internet content, not live feeds.
"This matter has reinforced the need for changes to the (law) to ensure that these new services being offered over the Internet and mobile devices are subject to the same content restrictions that apply to television broadcasts," says communications minister Helen Coonan on July 5.
Coonan also hints that reality TV may be in for a regulatory shakeup, adding, "Sexual impropriety and the exploitation and humiliation of women is not something that should be used to ... garner ratings."
Network Ten denied exploitation and said the show met all relevant regs.
The event has caused a furor in Oz, with politicians from all sides, right up to Prime Minister John Howard, calling for the removal of the reality skein.
Ten and production company Endemol Southern Star evicted both male housemates from the "Big Brother" house for breaching conduct rules. The female housemate received counseling. She asked that no action be taken against her fellow contestants.
