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
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today called for public comment on program standards and captioning requirements for commercial digital television multi-channels.
"Digital television provides a great range of new content and channels and it is important that we consider how program standards and captioning requirements apply as we move towards digital-only broadcasting at the end of 2013," Senator Conroy said.
"Currently, Australian and children’s content requirements applicable to analogue channels and their digital simulcasts do not apply to other commercial digital multi-channels."
"Today, I am calling for comment on a review of these arrangements and encourage all interested parties to take part in the discussion."
"Digital television viewers are enjoying unprecedented choice of free-to-air TV content and we want to ensure that standards continue to reflect public expectations."
This review is required by clause 60C of Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The discussion paper will review:
- the operation of program standards and captioning rules applicable to standard definition and high definition multi-channel commercial television broadcasting services; and
- whether program standards and captioning rules should be amended in relation to standard definition and high definition multi-channel commercial television broadcasting services.
The discussion paper and details making submissions are available:
Online: http://www.dbcde.gov.au/multichannels
Freephone: 1800 066 480
Submissions close 5.00 pm Thursday, 31 December 2009.
Date: 4 December 2009
Contact Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
