Broadcast and newspaper executives show support for Media Reform package in Canberra
Chief executives from Australia’s major commercial and subscription TV, newspaper and radio companies have united in Canberra in support of the Federal Government’s broadcast and media reform package.
The government package includes the removal of broadcasting license fees and data-casting charges, restrictions on gambling advertising during live sporting events, an amendment to the anti-siphoning scheme, repealing two of three media ownership rules, and an increase in funding for the broadcasting of women’s and niche sports.
According to a release on behalf of the executives, the change is “crucial to bring media regulation into the digital age and preserve the future viability of the sector, which supports more than 30,000 jobs”.
“Australian media operators must be allowed to compete more effectively against multinational internet giants that are taking hundreds of millions of advertising dollars out of Australia.
“All Australians benefit from having a competitive and independent media sector that is able to deliver checks and balances in a healthy democracy. Australian media needs to be empowered to continue to reflect Australian values and tell Australian stories.
“This package is key to the entire industry’s ability to keep creating great content that is read, watched and listened to by millions of Australians every day.
“Media CEOs call on Parliament to preserve Australian content, voices and jobs by supporting the passage of the broadcast and media reform package in its entirety.”
The joint statement of support was endorsed by the following executives:
- Hugh Marks, CEO, Nine Entertainment
- Tim Worner, CEO, Seven West Media
- Paul Anderson, CEO, Ten Network
- Ian Audsley, CEO, Prime Media Group
- Andrew Lancaster, CEO, WIN Corporation
- Harold Mitchell, Chair, FreeTV Australia
- Pam Longstaff,Acting CEO, FreeTV Australia
- Peter Tonagh, CEO, Foxtel
- Tony Shepherd, AO, Chair, ASTRA
- Andrew Maiden, CEO, ASTRA
- Greg Hywood, CEO, Fairfax Media
- Michael Miller, Executive Chair, News Corp Australasia
- Grant Blackley, CEO, Southern Cross Austereo
- Cathy O’Connor, CEO, NOVA Entertainment
- Rob Atkinson, CEO, ARN
- Russell Tate, Executive Chair, Macquarie Media
- Adam Lang, COO Macquarie Media & CRA Chairman
- Rowley Patterson, Chair, ACE Broadcasters
- Grant Cameron, CEO, Grant Broadcasters
- Bill Caralis, Owner, 2SM Supernetwork Radio
- Ron Camplin, Owner, Bathurst Broadcasters
- Hans Torv, Chair, Hot Tomato
- Stephen Sweeney, CEO, SEN
- Ian Kennedy, CEO, Redwave
- Les Hawton, Chair, West Coast Broadcasters
- Glenn Wheatley, CEO, EON Broadcasters
- Rex Morris, CEO, Resonate Broadcasters
- Joan Warner, CEO, Commercial Radio Australia
topics
2SM Supernetwork
ACE Radio
ARN
ASTRA
Capital
Commercial Radio Australia
EON Broadcasting
Fairfax Media
Foxtel
free TV
grant
Imparja
Macquarie media network
News Corp Australia
Nine
Nova Entertainment
Pacificstar Network
Prime Media Group
RadioTAB
Redwave Media
Seven West Media
Southern Cross Austereo
Tabcorop
Ten
WIN Network
