The Australian Democrats will “demand extensive amendments” to the Government’s cross media ownership laws “and measures to enhance public and community broadcasting, journalistic independence, broadcasting standards, pay television offerings and regional news and programming” in a “determined effort” to deliver a more diverse media environment.
Democrats’ Communications spokesperson, Senator John Cherry, releasing the Party’s formal response to the Government’s cross media laws, said the Government’s plan focused “too narrowly on ownership issues and failed to deliver diversity of views.”
“To deliver high quality media that is responsive to local needs, new technology, the highest possible standards and the widest array of diverse voices requires a comprehensive policy that goes beyond ownership and looks at all types of media and media regulation,” Senator Cherry said.
“Our plan also calls for a substantial increase in funding for the ABC and SBS to ensure that the public broadcasters are able to blaze a trail into new media such as digital multi-channelling, while extending their current radio networks out to the widest possible audience…
“The Democrats will seek to promote higher standards in media by making it unlawful for media companies to sack journalists or editors for insisting on fair and accurate reporting, and by making broadcasting codes of practice enforceable as licence conditions.
“We will push for improved broadcasting services for regional areas, with a guarantee of regional news or information on television, more local programming on commercial radio, and the full roll out of all five ABC radio networks to the 3.4 million Australians who currently cannot access it.
“The Democrats are prepared to exempt radio from cross media ownership restrictions, allowing for synergies to be developed between television and radio, or newspapers and radio. However, to avoid the creation of media monopolies in regional markets, restrictions will still apply in small markets, with some restrictions in medium sized markets.
“The Democrats reject the expansion of foreign control of Australian television networks and newspapers as a threat to local content and investment in high quality journalism. We will agree to allowing Australian media companies to raise additional capital offshore by raising the overall level of foreign investment to 35%, while retaining caps on individual holdings… To promote new entrants, the Democrats would consider allowing the ABA to exempt companies from cross media rules if they are prepared to start new media outlets in a market.
The Government has “welcomed” the Democrats’ policy release in relation to the media ownership legislation.
“It has always been and continues to be the Government’s position that it is happy to take on board suggestions about this legislation from other parties and to consider those suggestions on their merits,” said Communications Minister Senator Richard Alston.
The Government “will consider the Democrats suggestions on their merits and welcomes Senator Cherry’s statement… In stark contrast to the Democrats, which are seeking to work constructively with the Government on the media ownership legislation, Simon Crean’s policy-lazy Labor Party has made no useful contribution to the debate, and as usual, is just saying NO.”