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Australian Media Regulation

Australian Media Regulation. What is regulation?. a process of control by government authorities aimed at ensuring that media organisations operate within set boundaries. AIM OF REGULATION: protecting the rights of citizens or the community. What is regulated?.

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Australian Media Regulation

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  1. Australian Media Regulation

  2. What is regulation? a process of control by government authorities aimed at ensuring that media organisations operate within set boundaries. AIM OF REGULATION: protecting the rights of citizens or the community

  3. What is regulated? Regulations deal with a range of issues including • Ownership • Types of content • Local production

  4. What is regulated? • Television and pay television are the mostregulated media. • Radio is said to have a ‘light touch’ of control • The internet is relatively free from government control because it has developed across national boundaries and with individuals as media organisations. • Newspapers are also regarded as traditionally free from government regulation.

  5. Who are our regulating authorities? ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) • Set up by federal government to regulate broadcasting and telecommunications

  6. The role of ACMA 1. Ownership rules: administers government regulations on media ownership and enforces compliance. 2. Licensing: all TV (free, pay & community) and radio licences are planned & approved by ACMA. They also licence telecommunications carriers. 3. Complaints: investigates complaints about commercial radio and television as well as ABC and SBS.

  7. The role of ACMA 4. Spectrum management: manages the allocation of all radio frequency spectrum. 5. Internet: administers Australia’s anti-spam laws and has a role concerning internet content. Encourages internet self-regulation & investigates complaints about content. Also works with overseas organisations to investigate internet content.

  8. Who are our regulating authorities? ACCC (The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) • promotes competition and fair trade in all sectors of the economy

  9. The role of the ACCC • Price fixing: investigate situations where it believes a group of companies are agreeing on a profitable price rather than competing with each other for the lowest price Petrol pricing is a well-known area of ACCC investigation 2. Misuse of market power: if a takeover of one company by another would reduce the benefits of competition, the ACCC can prevent it happening.

  10. The role of the ACCC 3. False advertising:false claims about the benefits of a product or its ingredients can be prosecuted by the ACCC. 4. Restrictive trade practices: withholding supplies of goods to force a company into bankruptcy or to artificially increase the price can be prosecuted by the ACCC.

  11. Who are our regulating authorities? National Classification Scheme • classification of films, video games and publications in Australia is the responsibility of the Attorney General's Department. • A Classification Board and Classification Review Board make decisions about the classification of films, video games and publications which are available for sale and hire in Australia.

  12. What is self-regulation? a process of control where the regulation is carried out by the industry or profession itself. Does not involve the government. • A code of practice is usually developed • A panel of representatives of each of the major companies involved + representatives of general public • The panel sits in judgement on cases or complaints using the code of practice to decide if there has been any wrongdoing

  13. Who are self-regulating authorities? The Australian Press Council • Voluntary industry body set up by newspaper proprietors in 1976 • Investigates complaints from the public • Funded by the main newspaper and magazines • Owner’s representatives, members of public, journalists & editors make up its 22 members

  14. Who are our self-regulating bodies? The Advertising Standards Bureau • Set up to self-regulate advertising and adjudicate public complaints • Funded by the advertising industry • Uses Advertiser Code of Ethics as basis for judgements • There are separate codes for different types of products such as health, alcohol & beauty products

  15. Advertising Standards Bureau Consumers can complain to the bureau if they believe an advertisement has caused offence on the basis of: • Discrimination (race, gender, sexual preference, religion) • Violence • Offensive language • Portrayal of sex, sexuality or nudity • Distress to children

  16. Who are our self-regulating bodies? Free TV Australia Represents commercial free-to-air tv broadcasters Role: to promote and defend the rights and interests of commercial television stations

  17. Free TV Australia Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice covers: 1. Discrimination, violence, portrayal of sex and distress to children 2. Program classifications 3. Accuracy, fairness and respect for privacy in news and current affairs 4. Advertising time on television 5. Placement of commercials and program promotions, and complaints handling

  18. Who are our self-regulating bodies? ASTRA (Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association) • Represents pay TV, radio & telecommunications • Developed its own code of practice and self-regulates subscription television and radio industries

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