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2008-12-29 10:42:08
During 1996 and 1997, the Canadian broadcasting, cable and production industries worked under the direction of AGVOT to develop a program classification system. The end result was based on a national field trial, extensive public opinion research and consultation with parents and public interest groups.
The system was approved by the Canadian Radio-television & Telecommunications Commission on June 18, 1997, in . The rating system, working in conjunction with the broadcasters' , the on-screen icons, viewer advisories, the independent compliance mechanism of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council and now the V-chip, has given Canadian parents the most comprehensive and advanced parental control system in the world.
The program classification system uses consistent and clear guidelines to evaluate the content of television programs. The guidelines centre on violence, but include language and sexual content as well. The content evaluation is assigned a rating according to the generally accepted stages of child development. Parents are already familiar with this approach in classifying movies, books, games, toys and other children's products.
The rating system to be used by English-language programming services has six levels, plus an Exempt level for programming which is not required to be classified. This Exempt category includes all information-based programming such as: newscasts, public affairs shows, magazine programs, talk shows, and documentaries. Sports programming is also exempt from classification, as are music videos and variety programming.
Exempt programming includes: news, sports, documentaries and other information programming; talk shows, music videos, and variety programming
As this programming is intended for younger children under the age of 8 years, it will pay careful attention to themes which could threaten their sense of security and well-being. As programming for children requires particular caution in the depiction of violence, there will be no realistic scenes of violence. Depictions of aggressive behaviour will be infrequent and limited to portrayals that are clearly imaginary and unrealistic in nature.
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This classification is applied to children's programming that is generally considered acceptable for youngsters 8 years and over to view on their own. It is suggested that a parent/guardian co-view programming assigned this classification with younger children under the age of 8.
Programming with this designation adheres to the provisions of the Children's Section of the CAB Violence Code. These include not portraying violence as the preferred, acceptable, or only way to resolve conflict; or encouraging children to imitate dangerous acts which they may see on the screen.
Programming within this classification might deal with themes which could be unsuitable for younger children. References to any such controversial themes shall be discreet and sensitive to the 8-12 year age range of this viewing group.
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Considered acceptable for all age groups. Appropriate viewing for the entire family.
This is programming intended for a broad, general audience. While not designed specifically for children, it is understood that younger viewers may be part of the audience. Therefore programming within this classification shall contain very little violence, either physical, verbal or emotional.
It will be sensitive to themes which could threaten a younger child's sense of security, and will depict no realistic scenes of violence which minimize or gloss over the effects of violent acts.
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This programming, while intended for a general audience, may not be suitable for younger children (under the age of 8). Parents/guardians should be aware that there might be content elements which some could consider inappropriate for unsupervised viewing by children in the 8-13 age range.
Programming within this classification might address controversial themes or issues. Cognizant that pre-teens and early teens could be part of this viewing group, particular care must be taken not to encourage imitational behaviour, and consequences of violent actions shall not be minimized.
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Programming with this classification contains themes or content elements which might not be suitable for viewers under the age of 14. Parents are strongly cautioned to exercise discretion in permitting viewing by pre-teens and early teens without parent/guardian supervision, as programming with this classification could deal with mature themes and societal issues in a realistic fashion.
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Intended for viewers 18 years and older.
This classification applies to programming which could contain any or all of the following content elements which would make the program unsuitable for viewers under the age of 18.