Sexy music videos may be banned on TV to protect Aussie kids
27 Jun 2008, 1723 Hrs

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Melbourne, June 27 (ANI): A Senate committee in Australia has proposed to ban sexy music videos from Saturday morning TV to protect children from inappropriate material.

The Senate inquiry into sexualisation of children by the media called for a review of music video classifications and for the introduction of separate free-to-air kids' television channels.

Teen magazines containing sexually explicit content are also likely to appear with warning labels on the newsstands.

The inquiry heard evidence that young children were regularly being exposed to inappropriate sexual material through TV, magazines and billboard advertising.

Witnesses also raised concerns over sexually suggestive lyrics and choreography in video clips by artists such as 50 Cent and the Pussy Cat Dolls and sexual material in magazines read by pre-teens such as Girlfriend, Bratz and Total Girl.

"This is a community responsibility which demands action by society," the report said.

The committee also proposed Advertising Standards Bureau to make sure that billboards and other outdoor advertisements did not contain inappropriate sexual material.

Kids Free 2B Kids founder Julie Gale said the inquiry should have recommend that the standards bureau be replaced with a government regulator.

"I think it should have recommended an independent regulatory body that oversees children's interests," Daily Telegraph quoted Gale, as saying.

The inquiry called for a long-term study to be carried out into the premature sexualisation of children and creating awareness on sexual health and relationship through education programmes in schools.

In a dissenting report, Family First Senator Steve Fielding said the committee had failed to put forward recommendations necessary to protect children. (ANI)