ACMA receives multiple complaints against final season of Channel Nine’s The Block over 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, the ACMA recorded a total of 28 complaints.
An ACMA spokesperson said The Australian: ‘The majority of investigations involved allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behavior between candidates.’
This follows numerous articles and discussions regarding the increased drama between the contestants during this season.
Producers seem eager to amp up this drama, especially since the houses featured in this season were smaller than those in the 2022 season.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block. In the photo: casting for the 2023 season
With the exception of occasional competition from Seven’s MKR, this strategy resulted in higher ratings for Nine.
Michael Healy, Nine’s director of television, has not hesitated to take this approach, saying this season’s ratings speak for themselves.
“The Block is an unrivaled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that over 40% of the country watched this series is a phenomenal achievement.
In just one week, the ACMA recorded a total of 28 complaints. An ACMA spokesperson told The Australian: “The majority of investigations involved allegations of bullying, harassment and the promotion of anti-social behavior between candidates.” Pictured: The Block hosts Shelley Craft and Scott Cam
We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and we look forward to delivering a meteoric crescendo to the current season, ahead of an unprecedented 20th series in 2024.”
When similar criticism was leveled at Married at First Sight, the network responded by stating that it 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 intimidating experience and we would not persist in a scenario in which someone feels unsafe,” said the producers of MAFS after receiving the complaints.
This follows numerous articles and discussions regarding the increased drama between the contestants during this season.
Producers seem eager to amp up this drama, especially since the houses featured in this season were smaller than those in the 2022 season.
The ACMA has since dismissed nine of the MAFS complaints.
Meanwhile, one of The Block’s judges, Darren Palmer, recently responded to his Instagram followers about some of the show’s behavior.
“It’s fortunate that we don’t hear or see anything that happens during the week. Continue to judge fairly and subjectively. I don’t tolerate bullying,” he said.
It is understood that contestants on the show have access to expertise in wellbeing and mental health.
Nine of them will have 60 days to process and respond to complaints.
Michael Healy, Nine’s director of television, has not hesitated to take this approach, saying this season’s ratings speak for themselves. “The fact that over 40% of the country watched this series is a phenomenal achievement”
