27 October 2006

Review of local content obligations for regional radio

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has been directed to commence its review into the local content requirements contained in the recent package of media reforms and report back to me by June next year, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.

“As part of the media reform package the Government introduced new local content quotas for regional radio,” Senator Coonan said.

“In formulating these requirements I was very mindful of balancing the desire of the local community to listen to live and local content with the need to ensure any mandatory requirement was not too onerous for regional radio operators. The local content obligations have not yet taken effect.

“The general obligation to broadcast a certain amount of local content per day, currently set at 4.5 hours per business day between 6am and 6pm, will not take effect until 2008 and not until after the completion of the review into the requirement.

“I have directed ACMA to investigate whether this requirement of 4.5 hours is appropriate and, if not, to address whether this level needs to be adjusted or applied differently for different classes of licensees. The review will also consider whether this requirement should include a minimum of 12.5 minutes of local news per business day. I have asked ACMA to report to me on this matter by 30 June 2007.

“Other obligations, such as those relating to specific numbers of local news and weather bulletins, local presence requirements and the like will only come into effect following a ‘trigger event’ such as a merger or transfer of control.

“I am mindful of concerns that have been expressed by some in the industry about the scope of the definition of a ‘trigger event’. Therefore I have also directed ACMA to investigate whether the definition of a ‘trigger event’ may lead to unintended consequences for regional commercial radio licensees and in particular, small or family-owned regional commercial radio licensees.

“Clearly the intention of the legislation is to ensure that local content and presence requirements are imposed on licensees where there is a change or transfer of control or the formation of a new media group.

“In order to resolve any uncertainty as soon as possible, I have asked ACMA to report to me on this matter by 31 March 2007. The scope of these reviews fulfils a commitment the Government made during the passage of legislation to give effect to a comprehensive package of reforms to Australia’s media industry. I look forward to receiving ACMA’s reports in due course and will consider its recommendations.”