Media sector reform process—the way forward

The Morrison Government has announced a range of measures concerning media sector policy following an extensive consultation process that commenced with the release of a Green Paper in November 2020.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said, “As well as a number of specific actions the Government is taking now, we are setting out the next steps for Government to work with the broadcast television sector on a future regulatory structure that is optimised for the technology changes the sector faces.”

The measures include:

• A $7.3 million Television Research and Policy Development Program to provide the Government and industry with the information needed to make choices about the future of free-to-air television services in Australia.

• The extension of transitional support to relevant regional broadcasters for two additional years.

• A proposed Streaming Services Reporting and Investment Scheme to incentivise and, as needed, require large subscription video on demand (SVOD) services to invest in Australian content.

• A National Broadcasters Reporting Framework to provide the Government and the public with enhanced information on the provision of Australian content by the ABC and SBS.

• A recalibrated drama expenditure requirement for subscription television broadcasters.

• A $10 million Journalist Fund to support the provision of public interest journalism in the regions.

The Government is releasing a Media Policy Statement that describes these measures in more detail and sets out findings from the consultation process initiated with the Green Paper.

The Government will establish a Future of Broadcasting Working Group as a key mechanism to inform the work of developing the future regulatory structure. As the Media Policy Statement explains, the Government will commission a range of research to support the consideration of television futures, including research on the current installed base of television receivers.

An early priority for the Working Group will be to examine the issue of the “prominence,” or availability, of Australian content, including news, on connected television platforms.

In addition to the Media Policy Statement, a Discussion Paper on a proposed Streaming Services Reporting and Investment Scheme has been released. This Paper provides stakeholders with an opportunity to provide their views on the design of the Scheme. Submissions are requested by 24 April 2022.

To view the Media Policy Statement and to find out more about the measures, go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/2022-media-policy-statement. To view the Discussion Paper, go to www.infrastructure.gov.au/streaming-services-reporting-and-investment-scheme.