ACMA receives several complaints against Channel Nine’s final season of The Block regarding bullying and ‘promotion of anti-social behaviour’
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block.
In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints.
This is what an ACMA spokesperson said The Australian: ‘The majority of investigations involved allegations of bullying, intimidation and the promotion of anti-social behavior between participants.’
This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions about the increased drama between contestants during this season.
Producers seem eager to intensify this drama, especially considering the houses in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block. Pictured: Cast for the 2023 season
With the exception of occasional competition from Seven’s MKR, this strategy has translated into higher ratings for Nine.
Nine director of television Michael Healy has been unapologetic about the approach and says this season’s viewing figures speak for themselves.
“The Block is an unparalleled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that more than 40% of the country tuned in to this series is a phenomenal achievement.
In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints. An ACMA spokesperson told The Australian: “The majority of questions related to allegations of bullying, intimidation and the promotion of anti-social behavior between participants.” Pictured: The Block hosts Shelley Craft and Scott Cam
We never take our viewers’ loyalty for granted and look forward to bringing the current season to a roaring crescendo before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024.”
When similar criticism was directed at Married at First Sight, the network responded by stating that they would have intervened if there had been a credible risk of domestic violence on the show.
“We understand that meeting and marrying someone at first sight and living with them for eight weeks can be a potentially daunting experience, and we would not persist in a scenario where someone does not feel safe,” said MAFS- producers after receiving the complaints.
This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions about the increased drama between contestants during this season
Producers seem eager to intensify this drama, especially considering the houses in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season
ACMA has since settled nine of the MAFS complaints.
Meanwhile, one of The Block’s judges, Darren Palmer, recently responded to his Instagram followers about some of the behavior on the show.
‘Luckily we don’t hear or see anything that happens during the week. Continues to judge honestly and subjectively. “I don’t condone bullying,” he said.
It is clear that competitors on the show have access to expertise in wellbeing and mental health.
Nine are given a period of 60 days to process and respond to the complaints.
Nine director of television Michael Healy has been unapologetic about the approach and says this season’s viewing figures speak for themselves. “The fact that over 40% of the country tuned in to this series is a phenomenal achievement.”