TV watchdog to probe controversial MAFS season

The latest season of Married At First Sight, which captivated and outraged viewers, is being investigated by the Australian TV watchdog.

The sensational 2021 series of Married At First Sight is being investigated by the Australian broadcasting watchdog.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has started looking into certain episodes of the top rating series following viewer complaints.

“The ACMA has commenced an investigation into episodes of the 2021 season of Married At First Sight and is currently assessing the scope of the investigation noting the range of issues raised in complaints over several episodes,” AMCA said in a statement.

The move comes after the ACMA received at least 54 complaints from viewers about the show.

The ACMA referred those complainants to Channel 9, which broadcast MAFS, where 9 had 60 days to respond to the concerned viewers.

Sam Carraro and Coco Stedman. Picture: Supplied

Samantha Harvey and Cameron Dunne. Picture: Supplied

Those complainants who were not satisfied with the response could then refer their complaint back to the ACMA for potential investigation.

The AMCA didn’t say how many complaints were being acted on, nor which episodes or issues were being looked into.

In April, after 54 complaints had been received by the authority, the ACMA revealed the types of behaviours that had riled up viewers.

“A significant proportion of the complaints alleged the program included personally abusive interchanges between participants through gaslighting, social, verbal and mental abuse,” ACMA said in April.

Married At First Sight this year saw viewers up in arms over the relationship between Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson, and the antics of fellow ‘bride’ Bec Zemek, and grooms Sam Carraro, James Susler and Cameron Dunne.