ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice

The Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice is like a set of rules that TV channels in Australia have to follow. These rules are there to make sure that the TV shows that we watch are safe and fair for everyone.

One of the main rules is about things like violence. We don't want to see too much violence on TV because it can be scary and make us feel unsafe. So the code says that TV channels can't show too much violence, especially during times when young kids like us are watching. It also says that they can't show things like bullying or people getting hurt for fun.

Another important rule is about advertising. You know those commercials that interrupt our favorite shows? Well, the code makes sure that TV channels don't show too many of them. They also have to be clear and not try to trick us into buying things. They can't show ads for things like alcohol or gambling when kids are watching. They also have to make sure that the ads don't show things that are not good for our health, like junk food.

The code also covers things like privacy and fairness. It says that TV channels have to respect our privacy and not show our personal information without permission. They also have to be fair when they talk about people or things in the news. They can't spread rumors or make things up just to get more viewers.

Lastly, the code has rules about things like diversity and accuracy. It says that TV channels have to show a variety of different people from different backgrounds. They also have to be truthful and not make up things when they report the news or talk about important topics.

So, the Australian Commercial Television Code of Practice is like a big rulebook that TV channels in Australia have to follow. It's there to make sure that the shows we watch are safe, fair, and respectful to everyone.