New Code For Teenage Mags

The PPA has announced that a set of guidelines have been developed as a means of self-regulation for the teenage magazine sector.

Earlier this year a row broke out over the explicit nature of sexual advice in teenage magazines MP Calls For Magazine Curbs and Peter Luff, the Conservative MP for Worcester, threatened to introduce a Bill to put age restraints on some magazines. The new guidelines, which are the outcome of discussions between publishers, editors and retailers of teenage magazines, have satisfied Mr Luff and he has agreed to drop the Bill.

While recognising the importance of the role that magazines play in helping teenagers to make informed choices on sexual matters, the guidelines will closely monitor the appropriateness of any sexually explicit material. The final arbiter of the meaning and interpretation of the guidelines will be a newly-formed Teenage Magazine Arbitration Panel (TMAP) to whom any complaints relating to alleged breaches of the new code will be addressed.

The panel will be composed of three recognised experts in the fields of sex education, adolescent sexual development and ethics together with three representatives from the publishing industry. It will be headed by an independent chairperson whose appointment will be confirmed shortly.

Ian Locks, PPA chief executive, said: “We believe that the guidelines and panel will be an effective and satisfactory way to meet the concerns which have been expressed over the content of teenage magazines.”

PPA: 0171 404 4166