As a consequence of the finding, Nine has agreed to introduce measures to prevent this happening again. These include enhanced quality control and ‘spot’ audits on programs, with Nine reporting the results to ACMA. Nine will also have regular meetings with its caption provider and other stakeholders regarding caption quality and transmission, and will upgrade its caption transmission monitoring.
The complaint which prompted ACMA to launch the investigation named several other programs in addition to the five which were found to be in breach of caption regulations. In its investigation report, ACMA examined each instance of missing captions, and ruled on whether they detracted from the overall comprehensibility of the segment.
Alex Varley, CEO of Media Access Australia, said this was a disappointing approach. ‘It is not for the regulator to make value judgements about whether the missing captions detracted from the understanding of a segment by a Deaf or hearing impaired viewer,’ said Mr Varley. ‘If the dialogue was not necessary, then why was it broadcast in the first place? Captions are a recreation of the soundtrack and should cover all of it.’
The full report of the investigation can be read on the ACMA website.
Top of page