Code Review

Commercial Radio Code of Practice Review 

The content of all commercial radio programs broadcast on commercial radio is regulated under the Commercial Radio Code of Practice (the Code). The Code has been developed by the commercial radio industry and the industry body Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) in consultation with the public and is registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). 

The Code is part of the Government’s co-regulatory regime for the commercial radio broadcasting sector, developed under section 123 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. 

The Code regulates commercial radio content in accordance with community standards, assists listeners in making informed choices about their radio listening and provides effective procedures for receiving and handling listener complaints. 

The Code is intended to provide clear guidance to radio station staff and listeners on what is required in each of the areas covered by the Code. Because the Code is developed under the Broadcasting Services Act, commercial radio stations that breach the Code can ultimately be subject to serious penalties. 

What the Code covers  

The Code covers a number of matters including: 

• material not suitable for broadcast;  

• accuracy and fairness in news and current affairs programs; 

• advertising material; 

• Australian music quotas; 

• procedures for handling complaints related to possible breaches of the Codes;  

• broadcasts of emergency information; and 

• promotion of gambling and betting odds in live sports coverage. 

Attached to the Codes (but not forming part of the Codes due to their advisory nature) are guidelines which are designed to assist radio station staff by providing further clarification on some aspects of the Codes.  

The guidelines provide clarification in relation to the requirements to broadcast emergency information, and the portrayal of Indigenous Australians, women, suicide and mental illness and the responsible reporting of domestic violence on commercial radio.  

Learn more about these and other matters covered by the Code here.

The Code review  

The last full review of the Code took place in 2016/17. The current version of the Code was registered in March 2017, with some changes taking effect from March 2018. 

CRA is conducting a review of the Code to ensure it continues to provide appropriate community safeguards for the matters covered by the Code.  

We are proposing some minor language changes to modernise the Code, as well as some changes in relations to corrections: 

• a firm obligation to correct or clarify certain errors of fact (rather than to make reasonable efforts to) – see revised clause 3.4; and 

• a requirement to make necessary corrections as soon as reasonably practicable – see revised clause 3.6. 

Other than as outlined above, our view is that the Code is operating effectively and continues to provide effective safeguards in line with community standards.    

A copy of the draft revised Code with changes marked-up can be accessed here.

Guidelines for feedback 

You can provide feedback on any aspect of the Code. 

Throughout our review process, we have engaged with the ACMA and industry stakeholders to assess whether any changes to key areas of the Code are required. We have also considered and taken into account relevant information and research, including research the ACMA has conducted as well as its investigation reports. The ACMA’s What Audiences Want position paper is available here and investigation reports are available here. 

There are some particular issues outlined below that you might like to consider in preparing your feedback:  

• Material not suitable for broadcast (clause 2): Whether the current decency provision is adequate and provides appropriate safeguards for children.
• News and current affairs programs (clause 3):
  • Whether the on-air correction provisions need to be strengthened beyond the changes proposed.
  • Whether the current Code obligations meet community expectations with respect to the role and responsibilities of commercial radio licensees in preventing the amplification of mis/disinformation. 
  • Whether any additional disclosure requirements are required in relation to commercial arrangements in news. 
• Australian music (clause 5): Whether the Australian music provisions remain fit for purpose. 
• Complaints (clause 10): 
  • Whether licensees’ online complaints processes are accessible. 
  • Whether the current complaints reporting provisions are adequate. 

How to provide feedback  

All stakeholders, including listeners, industry members, and community representatives, may share their views. 

Submissions can be sent via codes@cra.au.

The consultation period will close on 18 May, 2025.

CRA is collecting your personal information (e.g. name, email, and any details in your submission) to review and report on feedback. Your submission will be shared with the ACMA, unless it is clearly marked as confidential. 

Next steps  

Following the consultation period, CRA will review all submissions and submit public comments received to the ACMA. CRA will then prepare a proposed final version of the Code before submitting to the ACMA for registration.