published on in blog

Oz media regs advance

Proposed changes pass Senate

SYDNEY — The biggest overhaul of Australia’s media landscape in two decades came a step closer to becoming law after controversial proposed changes passed the Senate on Thursday.

The changes, set to go into effect as early as next year, allow foreign companies to buy local media orgs, which was previously banned.

There was also a proposal to abolish cross-media ownership laws, which prevent one company from owning all formats — TV, radio and print — but concerns from Aussie MPs mean companies will be allowed to buy just two formats in any one market.

The media changes require there be a minimum of five news outlets or “distinct voices” in metropolitan areas and four in regional areas.

Opponents of the regs fear greater concentration of the media in a market where there already are too few independent voices. Given the new freedom, predictions are that Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd., owner of Nine Network, may swallow up newspaper publisher Fairfax and that Rupert Murdoch’s News Ltd. may make a move into TV.

Popular on Variety

The legislation now heads to the Lower House, which is a virtual rubber stamp as the government has a clear majority.

Mot everyone fears the changes. Network Ten, which has admitted in the past that it could be either predator or prey, welcomed them.

Topper Nick Falloon said, “Ten has long supported the need to reform Australia’s restrictive and outdated media rules. We believe these changes will lead to more meaningful diversity and allow small and medium-sized media companies to grow and compete.”

Jump to Comments

More from Variety

Most Popular

Must Read

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Variety Confidential

A Variety and iHeartRadio Podcast

ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXGCjqyanqaVZLqivsqeq6xllprAtbXVmqOsZ5%2Bveq6xw6KYZqqVnMBurcOvmKeblWJ%2Bcn2Wcmxqb2htfA%3D%3D