The ABA is proposing to extend indefinitely the three commercial radio ‘cash-for-comment’ standards which were placed on all commercial radio licensees in November 2000. The decision will be reviewed when an appropriate self regulatory Code of Practice comes into place.
The standards – the Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Current Affairs Disclosure) Standard 2000; the Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Advertising) Standard 2000 and the Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Compliance Program) Standard 2000, were due to cease operation on 2 April 2003.
ABA Chairman David Flint said: “At the time the ABA imposed the standards on the commercial radio industry, the ABA expected the commercial radio industry to develop and submit to the ABA for registration, codes of practice to operate from 3 April 2003 that would provide at least the same level of community safeguards as are contained in the standards.”
“As current investigations into matters in relation to compliance with the commercial radio standards will not have been concluded before the cessation of operation of the standards on 2 April 2003, the ABA has taken the view that the standards should continue in operation. Once those investigations have been concluded and their implications (if any) for the standards determined, the ABA will consult with the relevant industry body, which is Commercial Radio Australia, on the future of the standards.”
“The ABA’s intention is that the standards should be replaced by codes of practice that provide the same level of community safeguards at the appropriate time and after wide community consultation.”
The three standards relate to disclosure of commercial agreements by presenters of current affairs programs, the need to distinguish advertisements from other programs and the establishment of compliance programs by commercial radio licensees. Unlike codes of practice, compliance with standards is a condition of a broadcaster’s licence.
The ABA invites comment on the proposed variation to the standards by Monday 3 March.