COMMUNICATIONS Minister Stephen Conroy says the government will bring forward media law changes before the September election - and the support of independent MPs will be crucial.
The government is running out of time to have parliament approve a package of reforms stemming from its media industry reviews.
It is understood cabinet could consider a number of measures on Monday, before parliament sits on Tuesday.
"We will be bringing forward a package," Senator Conroy told ABC radio on Friday.
"But we clearly have to get the support of the independents. There's clearly many contentious issues," Senator Conroy said.
One of the key changes is the removal of a rule that prevents any television network from broadcasting to more than 75 per cent of the Australian population.
The rule currently stops any one of the three major commercial networks from buying regional affiliates.
The proposed change would allow Nine Network to pursue a possible merger with Southern Cross Austereo.
Also being considered are a revamped press council, a tort of privacy, increased Australian content rules and a public interest test for prospective media owners.
To have any legislation pass the lower house, Labor will need the support of five crossbenchers.
Independent MP Craig Thomson said he would reveal his position on the changes next week when parliament resumes.
"I'll be talking to people involved in the industry on the effects that the legislation may have locally in this electorate," Mr Thomson told AAP on Friday.
Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce said his party members, who will meet on Monday, would have no problem "going to the barricades" to protect regional media services.
"Everyone (in the party room) will ask the same question: 'Is this the same swindle job where they promise the world but leave the services out?' and if it is, they can go jump in the lake," Senator Joyce told AAP.
"Without local news you have no local community," the senator from southwest Queensland said.
Nationals Leader Warren Truss said his party would be looking at the legislation very closely.
"We won't support anything that reduces localism and the capacity for local news and information to be supplied when it is needed, on a regular basis," Mr Truss told AAP.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Media law changes move closer
Dengan url
http://flasdiskvirus.blogspot.com/2013/03/media-law-changes-move-closer.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Media law changes move closer
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar