29/07
Wednesday 28 March 2007

Minister welcomes new local presence licence condition for regional commercial radio

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan today welcomed the gazettal of the local presence licence condition for regional commercial radio broadcasters, announced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) today.

“This condition will ensure that regional radio stations will continue to have a presence in their local communities, irrespective of any change in ownership,” Senator Coonan said.

“The local presence licence condition provides that licensees of regional commercial radio stations who experience a ‘trigger event’ (a change in ownership or become part of a cross-media group) are required to demonstrate to ACMA on an ongoing basis, that staffing levels are being maintained, as well as the existing studios and other production facilities.

“ACMA has a range of enforcement powers at its disposal to deal with any breaches of this licence condition,” Senator Coonan said.

“Protection of regional content and diversity for consumers is a key component of the Government’s media reform package and this licence condition will ensure that protection is maintained.”

Today’s announcement follows the release yesterday of the Register of Controlled Media Groups by ACMA.

“Both the Register and this licence condition are important parts of the media reform package which is yet to be proclaimed,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Australian Government is moving forward to implement its reform of Australia’s outdated and outmoded media rules. These rules are almost 20 years old and no longer reflect the realities of a media industry rapidly adapting to a new digital environment.”

ACMA has sent a copy of the licence condition to all regional commercial radio licences, and is also publishing a copy of the licence condition in the Gazette and on ACMA’s website, www.acma.gov.au.