Notice of July 4, 2006 concerning the presentation on television of cinematographic or audiovisual works, video games and telephone or telematic services or Internet sites that are restricted to persons under 18.
In accordance with articles 1 and 15 of the amended law of September 30, 1986 on freedom of communication, the French Superior Audiovisual Council is the guarantor of the protection of children and adolescents in programs made available to the public by an audiovisual communication service.
As part of this mission, the Conseil has decided to issue the present notice, which governs the presentation, on television services other than cinema or pay-per-view, of cinematographic or audiovisual works, their videograms, video games, and telephone, telematic or Internet services subject to restrictions for persons under 18. It concerns their presentation on programs and their promotion in advertising and sponsorship campaigns.
In the context of television programs
When an excerpt or trailer of a film, audiovisual work or video game is diffused, which is subject to an age classification or prohibition for persons under 18, this classification or prohibition must be brought to the attention of the public in a clear and intelligible manner.
The choice of images offered must always take into account the programming context, the diffusion schedule and the presence of youngsters in front of the small screen.
Extracts or trailers of cinematographic or audiovisual works that are prohibited or not recommended for under-12s, or of video games intended for over-12s, must not be shown during youth programs, or within ten minutes before or after such programs.
The diffusion of excerpts or trailers of cinematographic or audiovisual works prohibited or not recommended for under-16s, as well as the diffusion of excerpts or trailers of video games intended for over-16s, must not take place during programs intended for young people, nor within ten minutes before or after the event. Before 10 p.m., it must always be accompanied by editorial content that takes into account the possible presence of youngsters in front of the screen, in particular by contextualizing images of violence or sexuality and avoiding the promotion of forms of violence.
The diffusion of extracts or trailers of cinematographic or audiovisual works prohibited or not recommended for persons under 18, or of video games intended for persons over 18, must not take place before 10 pm.
These extracts or trailers must not be of a pornographic nature, or contain extreme violence.
As part of advertising and sponsorship operations
In accordance with article 4 of the decree of March 27, 1992 setting out the general principles defining the obligations of service editors with regard to advertising, sponsorship and teleshopping, commercials must be free of any scenes of violence.
Whenever an advertisement is shown for a videogram of a cinematographic or audiovisual work, or for a video game that is classified by age segment or prohibited for persons under 18, it must be clearly and intelligibly brought to the attention of the public.
Advertising messages for videograms of cinematographic or audiovisual works that are prohibited or not recommended for under-12s, and for video games intended for over-12s, are not to be shown during youth programs, or within 10 minutes before or after such programs.
Commercials for videograms of cinematographic or audiovisual works prohibited or not recommended for under-16s, and for video games intended for over-16s, are not shown before 8.30pm.
Commercials for video games intended for over-18s and not of a pornographic nature are not shown before 10:30 pm.
Commercials for videograms of cinematographic or audiovisual works prohibited or not recommended for under-18s, and for pornographic video games intended for over-18s, must not be broadcast outside the slots reserved for category V programs according to the signage scheme and on authorized services.
Commercials or sponsorship sequences for telephone services, telematic services or Internet sites reserved or intended for adults are not shown before midnight or after 5 a.m.
This resolution will be published in the Journal officiel de la République française.
Paris, July 4, 2006
For the French Superior Audiovisual Council,
The Chairman
Dominique BAUDIS