A little more on Ratings

Not only TVI is introducing content ratings, also is SIC.
Portugal has a media authority (AACS) responsible for defining when and what can be showed, and assure that those guidelines are respected. For some time now, some problems have been rising. The AACS occupies a passive position on the ever growing competitiveness of Portuguese media, leading to consecutive abuses without proper sanctions.

In a somewhat obscure attempt to save their faces, the television channels, in the last years, started to address a warning before showing a possibly inappropriate content. Probably, this new move from the privately held televisions wont change anything, as it's the channel's own decision what rate each program has.

It's wait and see. This initiative is a good sign, at least is familiarizing people with content ratings. But for sure the AACS should be rethought, in order to assume itself as a true media authority, ruling general guidelines and assuring they're followed. Ratings are, in general, a good move; warning of sensitive content, unsuitable for some ages, while avoiding the resort to censorship.

As a side-note; Portugal has another entity that rates public shows, such as Theater Plays, Movies, Videos, etc., the CCE. I wont be discussing the correctness of their ratings and regulations...