Media reform in Australia : proposals document

33 proposals for a better media!

Ownership

1. Individual companies must be limited to national market share of 20 per cent (as defined in the table in the ownership section of the main document)

2. In any region ownership must be restricted to one branch of the media (cross ownership restriction)

3. Media companies must be precluded from owning controlling interests in companies whose main business is not media

4. Companies controlling marketed newspapers must be precluded from owning free newspapers in the same area

5. Foreign companies should be permitted to enter the Australian market only if they intend to set up new ventures (a new newspaper, magazine, television channel or radio station) takeovers of existing facilities should be prohibited

6. A code of fair competitive practice should be drawn up to prevent existing owners from obstructing new entrants (for example allowing freedom of distribution, access to retail outlets and access to printing)

Journalism

7. That the concept of journalists establishing independent companies or partnerships be encouraged

8. That a journalist registration board be established in each state/territory to establish a code of conduct and ethics, suitable training, experience and competencies for journalists. The board be empowered to register journalists who choose to do so and remove those who violate the code so established

9. that all journalists employed by governments either in the public service or in ministerial offices be registered journalists

Editorial independence

10. That media consumers form a media consumers association (or get the ACA to include it) to scrutinise the media in respect of bias, accuracy, balance and fairness. The results of such scrutiny to be published on a regular basis.

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Part 4: Political and current affairs reporting

11. That the PNN radio network be re-constituted as Australian Public Affairs Radio with a charter to inform and educate the public on Parliamentary business and to provide access to political parties and interest groups. While APAR should remain within the ABC structure its operations should be supervised by a joint standing committee of the Parliament.

The ABC

12. That the annual appropriation for the ABC be indexed to a proportion of Gross Domestic Product deemed to be adequate to carry out its functions.

13. That all major political parties be asked to agree to such a policy.

Commercial and electronic media

14. That the number of commercial radio licenses for a given area be based on the population and economic capacity of the area so as to allow licensees to be able to obtain adequate resources to provide a high standard and professional service to its audience.

15. That additional licenses only be granted when the area has expanded in terms of population and economic development that would enable them to obtain adequate resources to provide a high standard and professional service, especially news and current affairs.

16. Commercial radio stations be held to their code of practice commitment to provide a balance of viewpoints across their programming unless they undertake to provide explicit statements, on a regular basis, as to the viewpoints they desire to promote.

17. That a non-profit holding company be established to provide a sixth free to air television service providing community access, education and experimental/arthouse programs.

18. That this service be funded through sale of air time, government grants that are currently available for the arts, sponsorship and bequests.

19. That direct government funding be limited to the provision of transmission facilities

20. That such a service be provided as a coherent whole under the title of say Television X

21. That an independent entity (perhaps jointly owned by Telstra and Optus) be established to operate satellite propagation of pay television. This entity be the operator of uplinks to the Satellites and negotiate access to suitable satellites for broadcast of pay television transmissions.

22. That organisations be invited to tender for program supply, the existing operators (Foxtel and Optus Vision) being granted access without tendering.

23. That the development of broadband cable networks be left to local areas to develop along market lines.

Access and community radio

24. That State and Local Governments be encouraged to fund community stations to provide services to local communities and that such funds be provided through performance agreements that set out what is to be achieved through such funding.

25. That community stations seek to become registered training providers under the National Training Framework and seek access to public vocational education and training funds from the respective state training authorities.

26. That the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia work with the Australian National Training Authority and the relevant Industry Training Advisory Body to develop training packages for the broadcasting industry.

27. That Universities and TAFE providers who conduct media courses seek joint training arrangements with their local community stations, especially to provide work experience programs for their students.

Other

28. That the introduction of new broadcast technology be conducted in a planned manner so the consumers can benefit from improved services without disrupting and diluting existing program services and quality.

29. Legislation should be enacted to prevent exclusive rights broadcasting and to guarantee equal rights of access to all broadcasters. Broadcast rights should be based on the payment of an agreed fee negotiated between the parties concerned. Any dispute should be referred to an independent adjudicator.

30. That a National News and Media Commission be established by the Commonwealth Government with the following objectives: . to defend the freedom of the media . regulate standards of conduct . increase public awareness and understanding of news media operations

31. That the Commission have legislative power to penalise offenders against an codes of conduct drawn up by media participants.

32. That the Commission be funded from general revenue.

33. That complaints be accepted in writing or by telephone, provided certain safeguards are in place.
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33 proposals for a better media!

Ownership

1. Individual companies must be limited to national market share of 20 per cent (as defined in the table in the ownership section of the main document)

2. In any region ownership must be restricted to one branch of the media (cross ownership restriction)

3. Media companies must be precluded from owning controlling interests in companies whose main business is not media

4. Companies controlling marketed newspapers must be precluded from owning free newspapers in the same area

5. Foreign companies should be permitted to enter the Australian market only if they intend to set up new ventures (a new newspaper, magazine, television channel or radio station) takeovers of existing facilities should be prohibited

6. A code of fair competitive practice should be drawn up to prevent existing owners from obstructing new entrants (for example allowing freedom of distribution, access to retail outlets and access to printing)

Journalism

7. That the concept of journalists establishing independent companies or partnerships be encouraged

9. that all journalists employed by governments either in the public service or in ministerial offices be registered journalists

Editorial independence

10. That media consumers form a media consumers association (or get the ACA to include it) to scrutinise the media in respect of bias, accuracy, balance and fairness. The results of such scrutiny to be published on a regular basis.

Part 4: Political and current affairs reporting

The ABC

12. That the annual appropriation for the ABC be indexed to a proportion of Gross Domestic Product deemed to be adequate to carry out its functions.

13. That all major political parties be asked to agree to such a policy.

Commercial and electronic media

14. That the number of commercial radio licenses for a given area be based on the population and economic capacity of the area so as to allow licensees to be able to obtain adequate resources to provide a high standard and professional service to its audience.

15. That additional licenses only be granted when the area has expanded in terms of population and economic development that would enable them to obtain adequate resources to provide a high standard and professional service, especially news and current affairs.

16. Commercial radio stations be held to their code of practice commitment to provide a balance of viewpoints across their programming unless they undertake to provide explicit statements, on a regular basis, as to the viewpoints they desire to promote.

17. That a non-profit holding company be established to provide a sixth free to air television service providing community access, education and experimental/arthouse programs.

18. That this service be funded through sale of air time, government grants that are currently available for the arts, sponsorship and bequests.

19. That direct government funding be limited to the provision of transmission facilities

20. That such a service be provided as a coherent whole under the title of say Television X

21. That an independent entity (perhaps jointly owned by Telstra and Optus) be established to operate satellite propagation of pay television. This entity be the operator of uplinks to the Satellites and negotiate access to suitable satellites for broadcast of pay television transmissions.

22. That organisations be invited to tender for program supply, the existing operators (Foxtel and Optus Vision) being granted access without tendering.

23. That the development of broadband cable networks be left to local areas to develop along market lines.

Access and community radio

24. That State and Local Governments be encouraged to fund community stations to provide services to local communities and that such funds be provided through performance agreements that set out what is to be achieved through such funding.

25. That community stations seek to become registered training providers under the National Training Framework and seek access to public vocational education and training funds from the respective state training authorities.

26. That the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia work with the Australian National Training Authority and the relevant Industry Training Advisory Body to develop training packages for the broadcasting industry.

27. That Universities and TAFE providers who conduct media courses seek joint training arrangements with their local community stations, especially to provide work experience programs for their students.

Other

28. That the introduction of new broadcast technology be conducted in a planned manner so the consumers can benefit from improved services without disrupting and diluting existing program services and quality.

30. That a National News and Media Commission be established by the Commonwealth Government with the following objectives: . to defend the freedom of the media . regulate standards of conduct . increase public awareness and understanding of news media operations

31. That the Commission have legislative power to penalise offenders against an codes of conduct drawn up by media participants.

32. That the Commission be funded from general revenue.

33. That complaints be accepted in writing or by telephone, provided certain safeguards are in place. back

33. That complaints be accepted in writing or by telephone, provided certain safeguards are in place.
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