Married at First Sight Australia allegations ‘disturbing’, says country’s watchdog

Allegations that Married at First Sight Australia stars were not told about their on-screen partners previous drug and violence convictions are “serious and disturbing,” the country’s media watchdog has said.
The claims, reported in a BBC News investigation on Saturday, have also prompted a response from the UK’s media regulator Ofcom, who called them “deeply concerning”. Several male contestants have been allowed on the show – known to many as MAFS Australia – despite having been convicted of, or having faced allegations of, violence, assault or drug use.

It comes after the British version of the show was plunged into crisis after BBC Panorama reported rape allegations from two women contestants – allegations the men involved have denied. Channel 4 has commissioned an external review into contributor welfare on MAFS UK which is due back later this summer.

A spokesperson for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) told the BBC it “acknowledges the serious and disturbing matters” raised by former participants on the show. The Australian broadcaster Channel 9 and production company Endemol Shine Australia, which makes the show, have said they have “strong protocols in place to ensure participant safety and wellbeing”.