The Australian Government created the Broadcasting Services Determination 2022 as one of its initial moves toward implementing broader media changes that will modernise analog-era laws.
This choice keeps the regulatory framework that has been in place for broadcasting and streaming services under the Alston Determination for the past 22 years.
It also offers regulatory stability and certainty to the industry while giving the government enough time to think about and implement more extensive regulatory reforms.
The Determination was last extended for a period of three years in 2019 while the former Liberal National Government investigated suggestions to harmonize media regulation, but they were unable to carry out long-lasting change.
Earlier, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland released a consultation paper soliciting insights on a proposal to remake the 2019 Determination for a finite period.
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Rowland said, “The Australian Government will work with industry to modernise media regulations and update analog-era broadcasting legislation for the digital age.”
With flexibility to accommodate new and emerging services and technology, the reform program aims to consistently regulate services that make “like” content available and promote the achievement of important policy objectives.
“I would encourage all interested parties to have their say as this work progresses to ensure reforms recognise the current and emerging media environment, and can easily accommodate new and emerging services and technologies,” said Rowland.
The extension of the revisions until 15 September 2027 will provide the government time to develop a contemporary, functional regulatory framework that is appropriate for the media environment of today while also considering industry input.
Rowland finally stressed, “The Albanese Government is also committed to review the anti-siphoning scheme to give working families the chance to watch, for free, events of national and cultural significance, and legislating a prominence framework to ensure local TV services can easily be found on connected TV platforms.”
Source: The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
