A row has erupted between chief censor Andrew Jack and Spark television subsidiary Lightbox over warning labels on programmes.
Jack accused Lightbox of failing to properly warn its viewers of the “stronger content” in one of its imported US drama, Flesh and Bone.
He also released correspondence showing Lightbox had already decided to “suspend” submitting programmes to the Film and Video Labelling Body (FVLB) for classification.
Lightbox chief executive Kym Niblock said on Thursday morning that Spark might stop submitting Lightbox programmes to the FVLB, amid confusion over the legal obligations faced by internet television providers.
She stressed the Spark online television subsidiary would continue to label programmes itself so viewers had an idea as to whether they were appropriate for them to watch.
Jack released a letter Niblock sent to him on December 9 in which she said Lightbox had “suspended” sending programmes to the FVLB.
Lightbox had not adequately labelled Flesh and Bone, Jack said.
Lightbox gave the ballet-themed drama series a “provisional R16 warning” on its website, adding “Official NZ rating to be confirmed”.
Deputy chief censor Jared Mullen said Lightbox’ label was inadequate because it didn’t contain any more specific warning as to the programme’s content.
Full story by Tom Pullar-Strecker. Published February 17 2016
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