Australia - Digital Media - Analyses of Media Reforms

Synopsis

This report has been archived. After a decade of failed media policies there was a lot of anticipation in the previous government plans, which were launched in 2006. They unfortunately turned out to be a major disappointment. They continued their decade long policy of old media protection rather than coming up with an innovative new view towards the future of media convergence and digital media. The plans were only partly implemented before the government lost power in the 2007 elections. The industry is now awaiting the new government’s plans. However the implementation has still not occurred, as the new government reviews the former plans.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. New Government’s new media reforms
  • 2.1 Deadline set for end of analogue transmission
  • 2.2 Digital Australia re-badged as the Digital Switchover Taskforce
  • 2.3 Allocation of new spectrum
  • 2.4 government Review of other broadcasting services
• 3. Media reform the aftermath
  • 3.1 Initial industry reaction
  • 3.2 Media shake-up – the Prime Minister failed to take charge
  • 3.3 Minister is embarrassing the new media industry
  • 3.4 Prime Minister and not Minister should have end up with egg on his face
• 4. Disappointing media reforms
  • 4.1 There is nothing in it to spearhead the digital media
  • 4.2 There is nothing in it for the customers
  • 4.3 Will the old media barons bother
  • 4.4 Don’t buy your digital TV yet
  • 4.5 Digital TV policy could cost the government $1 billion
• 5. Media reforms – who could get what?
  • 5.1 Internet media companies (separate report)
  • 5.2 News Corp and Foxtel
  • 5.3 PBL/Nine
  • 5.4 Seven
  • 5.5 Ten
  • 5.6 Telstra
  • 5.7 Regional operators
  • 5.8 Customers
• 6. Prelude to new Digital media policies
  • 6.1 Government media review
  • 6.2 Government review by House of Representatives in February 2006
• 7. Proposed media reforms
  • 7.1 Overview
  • 7.2 New services on spare spectrum and other platforms
  • 7.3 Multichannelling and anti-siphoning
  • 7.4 Media ownership and control
  • 7.5 Regional services protection
  • 7.6 Cross media ownership laws
  • 7.7 Final version of the media reforms
  • 7.8 Media reform legislative process
    • 7.8.1 Government to allocate two new channels for digital services
    • 7.8.2 Progress of bill through the Senate-
• 8. Analysis of the government media policies – 1996 - 2006
  • 8.1 Prelude – 1996 - 2006
  • 8.2 Media reform plans – 2005 - 2006
  • 8.3 Plans presented in July 2006
  • 8.4 Lack of cooperation shame on the Australian media
  • 8.5 Minister had the right views
• 9. Related reports

• Exhibit 1 – Digital media reform – current rules and key proposed changes
• Exhibit 2 – The key issues still remain the same
• Exhibit 3 - Media diversity