Reforming the media sector (2 Viewers)

[Generator]

Coonan to reveal her media plan

Coonan to reveal her media plan
By Katharine Murphy, Canberra
March 14, 2006


THE Howard Government will today announce radical changes to Australia's $11 billion television, radio and newspaper industry, paving the way for mergers in the media sector.

Communications Minister Helen Coonan will launch a much-anticipated discussion paper, which is tipped to include measures such as revoking the current restrictions on data-casting in an effort to woo consumers to digital television.

[continued- see link]

I'll update this thread later today.

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Media ownership laws to be relaxed

Media ownership shackles to end

Meeting the Digital Challenge: Reforming Australia 's media in the digital age (Key Proposals and a link to the discussion paper)

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Edit (13/7/2006): Senator Coonan - New Media Framework for Australia

As part of the framework announced today the Government will:

* Develop a Digital Action Plan to drive the take-up of digital television services and help consumers make the transition from analogue services to the new digital environment;
* Open up two reserved digital channels for new digital services such as mobile television or new in-home services;
* Permit commercial free-to-air television stations to broadcast one standard definition multichannel from 2009, and to allow full multichannelling no later than the time of digital switchover.
* Permit a high definition multichannel by removing the simulcast requirement on high definition television programming;
* Remove the “genre” restrictions on the types of programming which can be shown on ABC and SBS multichannels;
* Reform the anti-siphoning scheme by introducing a “use it or lose it” system for sporting events on the list to commence on 1 January 2007;
* Relax the current restrictions on cross-media ownership subject to safeguards that will ensure no fewer than five independent “voices” remain in metropolitan markets and four in regional markets, upon Proclamation on a date to be determined in 2007; and
* Legislate to retain licence conditions ensuring local content on regional television in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and extend them to Tasmania;
* Protect local radio content in regional markets by requiring commercial radio licensees seeking mergers in regional markets to meet minimum standards for local content including news, community service announcements and emergency warnings;
* The ACCC will ensure the competition laws are fully complied with under the general mergers provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA), and ACMA will oversee safeguards to ensure diversity and local content, including ensuring transactions comply with the minimum number of media groups requirements.
* Remove the existing foreign ownership restrictions but retain the media industry as a “sensitive sector” under the Government’s Foreign Investment Policy, upon Proclamation on a date to be determined in 2007;
* Give the Australian Communications and Media Authority a range of new powers to regulate broadcasting including power to seek civil penalties and injunctions and to accept enforceable undertakings from broadcasters;

SMH - Brave new media world
ABC - Cross-media ownership laws to go

 

[gerhard]

Cross-media transactions
Preferred options :

• The cross-media rules would be amended to allow cross-media transactions to proceed, subject to there remaining a minimum number of commercial media groups in the relevant market (four in regional markets, five in mainland state capitals).

• Existing limits on broadcasting licences would be retained: a maximum of two commercial radio licences in a radio licence area; one television licence in a licence area, and no more than 75 per cent national television reach.

• Public disclosure would be required when a media outlet reports on the activities of a cross held entity.

doesnt sound too bad

 

[The_Apprentice]

OMG its about time! i was discussing this issue with a marketing lecturer last night.

 

[Generator]

Media silent on changes

Media silent on changes
Jane Schulze and Steve Lewis
March 17, 2006


A DEAFENING silence from Australia's main media groups has greeted the federal Government's move this week to deregulate the sector.

Media organisations had been broadly supportive of deregulation but clammed up after the Government announced a detailed proposal for deregulation coupled with the promotion of free-to-air digital TV.

Government ministers are also sticking to the view expressed publicly by John Howard that the Coalition will not risk political capital pushing through reforms and it is up to the companies to reach a consensus.

Communications Minister Helen Coonan has requested submissions on her reform package by April 18 and few media groups were willing to comment before the deadline.

[...]

Government sources have not been surprised by the silence as responses to the discussion paper will be market sensitive and crucial to laws drafted after Senator Coonan gets replies.

[see link for the full article]

 

[Not-That-Bright]

I just want the shows to get better... more family guy / american dad plz.

 

[Generator]

Nationals concerned over media changes

 

[loquasagacious]

Nationals are concerned over any changes that involve free(er) markets.... eg deregulation of dairy, breaking AWB monopoly, user pays services, actually paying for water used, etc etc. I contend that the nationals are more like 'nationalists' driven by old style communism, if the greens are like watermelons then perhaps the nationals are like papaya: yellow on the outside (well there is a drought) and red on the inside.

More seriously the nationals do not seem a party of liberalism they seem to tend more towards: nationalists and xenophobes they love autarky and handouts but hate immigrants.

/oversimplification and hyperbole....

 

[Generator]

*bump*

Coonan's media laws ready to go?

 

[Generator]

News Ltd reversal on media changes

I'm hoping that there is someone out there who may find this interesting.

 

[loquasagacious]

Becoming deluded by the apathy?

 

[kami]

News Ltd reversal on media changes

I'm hoping that there is someone out there who may find this interesting.

It was always going to be a tricky deal - not surprised that its having some problems. However it will happen eventually if we retain our current government.

 

[Generator]

Becoming deluded by the apathy?

In general, people only seem to be interested in discussions about religion or those threads that take the form of a survey . Oh well.

 

[Generator]

Senator Coonan - New Media Framework for Australia

As part of the framework announced today the Government will:

* Develop a Digital Action Plan to drive the take-up of digital television services and help consumers make the transition from analogue services to the new digital environment;
* Open up two reserved digital channels for new digital services such as mobile television or new in-home services;
* Permit commercial free-to-air television stations to broadcast one standard definition multichannel from 2009, and to allow full multichannelling no later than the time of digital switchover.
* Permit a high definition multichannel by removing the simulcast requirement on high definition television programming;
* Remove the “genre” restrictions on the types of programming which can be shown on ABC and SBS multichannels;
* Reform the anti-siphoning scheme by introducing a “use it or lose it” system for sporting events on the list to commence on 1 January 2007;
* Relax the current restrictions on cross-media ownership subject to safeguards that will ensure no fewer than five independent “voices” remain in metropolitan markets and four in regional markets, upon Proclamation on a date to be determined in 2007; and
* Legislate to retain licence conditions ensuring local content on regional television in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and extend them to Tasmania;
* Protect local radio content in regional markets by requiring commercial radio licensees seeking mergers in regional markets to meet minimum standards for local content including news, community service announcements and emergency warnings;
* The ACCC will ensure the competition laws are fully complied with under the general mergers provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA), and ACMA will oversee safeguards to ensure diversity and local content, including ensuring transactions comply with the minimum number of media groups requirements.
* Remove the existing foreign ownership restrictions but retain the media industry as a “sensitive sector” under the Government’s Foreign Investment Policy, upon Proclamation on a date to be determined in 2007;
* Give the Australian Communications and Media Authority a range of new powers to regulate broadcasting including power to seek civil penalties and injunctions and to accept enforceable undertakings from broadcasters;

SMH - Brave new media world
ABC - Cross-media ownership laws to go

 

[poloktim]

* Remove the “genre” restrictions on the types of programming which can be shown on ABC and SBS multichannels;

I like the idea to remove "genre" restrictions on the ABC and SBS. I'm also excited to see what sort of programming they will offer. While I watch very little on the ABC, SBS is my favourite channel. I'm hoping SBS programming selections continue to be better.

* Give the Australian Communications and Media Authority a range of new powers to regulate broadcasting including power to seek civil penalties and injunctions and to accept enforceable undertakings from broadcasters;

I take it that's another step taken after the Big Brother scandal. I don't think the regulations are that bad as it is. Sadly it seems one bad incident makes everybody think everything is wrong.

Though Coonan's attempts to regulate the Internet are scary. She needs to understand that there are aspects of the Internet that are beyond legislative control. As stated in the online media, it can potentially force the Internet market to set up off shore, also damaging.
( http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/big-brother-crackdown-fallout/2006/07/06/1152157687792.html )

 

[Generator]

Govt/Opposition face internal rebellion
Industry braces for media law changes
Tony Jones speaks to former prime minister, Paul Keating

 

[gerhard]

well i think this just happened

does any here actually support this?
it seems such a joke to cry 'deregulation of markets' when creating automatic wealth by limiting the amount of tv stations and radio stations allowed.

linky http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/media-shakeup-gets-green-light/2006/10/12/1160246242608.html

 

[kami]

2006 Andrew Olle Lecture presented by Helen Coonan

I thought this might be interesting - seems Coonan is using this as an attempt to form some sort of justification of the changes to the media sector by warning of a journalistic 'armageddon'.