MARCH NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou

Anora, a modern Cinderella fable about sex workers has won the Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards. We classified Anora R16 with content warnings for sex scenes, nudity, drug use and offensive language. But if you're needing a bit more content detail then I encourage you to check out our featured decision. We break down the most impactful content so you can decide if it's one for you. 

Our newsletters generally talk about topics like sex, drugs, and the media content landscape. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe. Be sure to follow our socials and LinkedIn too.

Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether 

Image: still from Anora. Read our featured decision for this title. 

Media Reform: Modernising regulation and content funding arrangements for New Zealand discussion document released

Hon. Goldsmith has released Media Reform: Modernising regulation and content funding arrangements for New Zealand, a discussion document with proposals to support the media and content production sector. There are five draft proposals to modernise New Zealand's media legislation:

• Ensuring accessibility of local media platforms
• Increasing investment into and discoverability of local content
• Increasing captioning and audio description of content that is broadcasted or streamed
• Modernising professional media regulation
• Streamlining Crown content funders

You can engage with the proposal and discussion document on the Ministry of Culture and Heritage website. All submissions are due by 11.59 pm, Sunday 23 March. 

And the rating is...

After the excitement of the annual Academy Awards last week you might be looking to get amongst the Oscar-winning films. 

Check out our content guide for everything you need to know about their ratings and content warnings.

What's the deal with YouTube gaming content?

YouTube has become a hub for tamariki and rangatahi to watch others play video games. For parents (especially our non-gamer parents – I feel your pain), this trend might seem confusing—why would kids enjoy watching games instead of playing them? However, the appeal is undeniable, offering a mix of entertainment, tips, and exposure to new games. But like most digital habits, it’s not without its pros and cons.

Here’s what you need to know about this phenomenon and how to guide your tamariki and rangatahi as they navigate this space.

Detailed impactful content guide - American Murder: Gabby Petito

Netflix has released a three-part docuseries, American Murder: Gabby Petito, revisiting the case of the 22-year-old travel vlogger whose 2021 disappearance captivated the world. Gabby and her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, were living the van life on a cross-country road trip when she vanished, sparking widespread media attention and a real-time search. The case also had a lasting impact on TikTok’s true crime community as it unfolded, with internet sleuths playing a part in shaping the narrative and influencing public discussions around the investigation.

American Murder: Gabby Petito is self-rated M by Netflix, with content warnings for domestic violence, offensive language and suicide themes.

If you are struggling with what you have seen on-screen or real-world harm please reach out for help. If you or someone you know needs to talk:

• Women’s refuge
• 1737
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Why did Tinā get this rating?

M: Violence, offensive language and suicide references

Mareta, grieving her daughter's death in the Christchurch quakes, becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school. Unexpectedly, she discovers students lacking guidance and care, prompting her to provide inspiration and support.

Tinā was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with content warnings for violence, offensive language and suicide references. Read our breakdown of this rating. 

Why did The White Lotus, Season 3 get this rating?

13: Offensive language, nudity, sexual themes, drug use

Guests and employees stay at an exclusive tropical resort in Thailand over the span of a week. With each passing day, a darker complexity emerges in these picture-perfect travelers, the hotel’s cheerful employees and the location itself.

The White Lotus season 3 is self-rated by Neon and received a 13 with content warnings for offensive language, nudity, sexual themes, drug use. Read our breakdown of this rating for the first three episodes aired to date. 

Why did Mickey 17 get this rating?

M: Violence, sex scenes, drug references, offensive language & content that may disturb

Mickey, an "expendable" employee, is sent on a dangerous expedition to colonise the ice world Niflheim. After one version of him dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact.

Mickey 17 was rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with content warnings for violence, sex scenes, drug references, offensive language & content that may disturb. Read our breakdown of this rating. 

Because our work requires a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve found relevant and informative over the past month. Take a break with these media lunch items:

Modified toys, 3D-printed guns among Police firearms seizures (1 News)

Deepfakes can ruin lives and livelihoods - would owning the 'rights' to our own faces and voices help? (The Conversation) 

Oscars Analysis: How 'Anora' won, Demi Moore lost and a tumultuous awards season came to an end (The Hollywood Reporter)