Statement from SBS regarding new gambling advertising restrictions
Monday 26 March
SBS is absolutely committed to making the necessary changes to restrict gambling advertising during live sporting events on all of its platforms, including online, in accordance with the Government’s policy.
However, the implementation mechanism set out in the Bill is inconsistent with the established framework for public broadcasting in Australia. Implementation of new restrictions should be achieved under one set of consistent rules which already exist in the SBS Codes and cover TV, radio and online platforms. This is a simpler complaints process for audiences, who would otherwise be required to lodge TV, radio and online complaints with SBS but direct specific online gambling complaints to the ACMA.
Any suggestion that SBS is not fully supportive of delivering the gambling advertising changes is totally incorrect and those attempting to link this to any commercial matters are deliberately detracting from the core issue, which is ensuring that our broader editorial independence is not compromised.