Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Access to electronic media under review
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced the release of a discussion paper, as part of an investigation into the accessibility of electronic media for people with a hearing or vision impairment.
The discussion paper:
- identifies existing regulatory requirements and indicates current levels of captioning and audio description for Australian electronic media
- outlines arrangements in a number of overseas jurisdictions and
- invites comments on a number of key issues, such as the adequacy of current captioning and audio description levels and appropriate future targets.
Existing targets for the captioning of television programs contained in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, and separately developed by the television broadcasters in consultation with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC), are now being met.
“While it is great to see that existing targets are being met, we must keep informed of community expectations and overseas practices in this area,” Senator Conroy said.
“In light of the many changes in technology and media consumption practices, this discussion paper considers access for people with a hearing or vision impairment to television, film in cinemas and on DVDs, and the internet.”
“Public input is an important element of this investigation process. I encourage the media industry, people with a vision and hearing impairment, and representative groups, to actively participate in this investigation by providing their comments.”
Submissions are to be made to the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy by 13 June 2008. Further details about the investigation, and how to make comments, can be found at www.dbcde.gov.au
For those who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment please contact the Department through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 133 677 then ask for 02 6271 1000
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 6271 1000
- internet relay users connect to www.relayservice.com.au and then ask for 02 6271 1000
A full report of the investigation is expected to be prepared and tabled in Parliament in late 2008.
Date: 30 April 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
