Cap. 350 Art. 20Code for programmes other than advertisements.

(1) The Authority shall, in conjunction with the Minister draw up, and from time to time review, a code giving guidance -

(a) as to the rules to be observed in regard to the showing of violence, and in regard to the inclusion in sound broadcasts of sounds suggestive of violence, particularly when children and young persons may be expected to be watching or listening to the programmes; and

(b) as to such other matters concerning standards and practice for programmes broadcast by the Authority or by any person providing broadcasting services in Malta, as the Authority may consider suitable for inclusion in the code;

and, in considering what other matters ought to be included in the code, the Authority shall have special regard to programmes broadcast when children and young persons may be expected to be watching or listening.

(2) The Authority shall secure that the provisions of the code under this article are observed in relation to all programmes broadcast by any person providing broadcasting services in Malta.

(3) The Authority may, in the discharge of its general responsibility for programmes, impose requirements as to standards and practice for such programmes which go beyond, or relate to matters not covered by, the provisions of the code under this article.

(4) The methods of control exercisable by the Authority for the purpose of securing that the provisions of the code under this article are observed, and for the purpose of securing compliance with requirements imposed under sub-article (3) which go beyond, or relate to matters not covered by, the code, shall include a power to give directions to any person providing broadcasting services in Malta imposing prohibitions or restrictions in respect of items of a specified class or description or in respect a particular item.

(5) The provisions of this article shall not apply to advertisements covered by the Advertising and Sponsorship Code referred to in article 19.