Objectionable material
Material might be 'objectionable' if it deals with sex, horror, crime, cruelty or violence in a way that's likely to cause injury to the public good. The Department of Internal Affairs takes complaints about objectionable material.
What it is
The term 'objectionable material' usually relates to any publication that deals with subjects like sex, horror, crime, cruelty and violence.
How it works
Objectionable material is defined under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993.
A publication is deemed to be objectionable if it describes, depicts or otherwise deals with these subjects in a way that's likely to cause injury to the public good.
It’s an offence to possess or distribute any form of objectionable material.
Get help
The Censorship Compliance Unit at the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) investigates and sometimes prosecutes people who deliberately collect or find ways to distribute objectionable or banned material to other people via the internet.
They also:
- work with overseas agencies to share information about people using the internet to distribute objectionable material
- help ensure that banned publications are not made available to members of the public
- operate the Digital Child Exploitation Filtering System
- answer queries and provide advice.
You should report objectionable material directly to DIA.