The Broadcasting Services (Australian Content and Children’s Television) Standards 2020 (the Standards) contain a definition of ‘documentary program’: Documentary program means a program that is a creative treatment of actuality other than a news, current affairs, sports coverage, magazine, infotainment or light entertainment program. Documentary and the other program types listed in the definition are all forms of factual programming. These program types are not always distinct and are on a continuum, with movement over time as new styles of program emerge and others lose popularity. Within the documentary form itself, there are various genres, such as the observational versus fully scripted form, and hybrids such as programs that combine re-enactments and interview.
Please refer to the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) definition and guidelines for further information.
