Turnbull: “The only consensus has been on broadcasting licence fees”
PM again hints that the Reach Rule may be addressed, without full industry consensus.
- Published by David Knox
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PM Malcolm Turnbull has given a lengthy interview to The Guardian Australia which includes questions on media reform.
The former Communications Minister again hints that the Reach Rule may be addressed, without full industry consensus:
Two quick questions on media. Given your longstanding support for scrapping platform specific ownership rules, can we expect you to move quickly on this reform? How quickly?
The answer is this issue of media law changes, and in particular, some of the ownership law changes is being looked at by the minister, my esteemed successor, Senator [Mitch] Fifield. I think it’s very likely these matters will be considered by cabinet in the future. It’s an issue for cabinet and it is also an issue for other parties in the parliament. There’s no point proposing changes that have no prospect of being passed. We have plenty of things to do. The reach rule in particular is certainly a matter of great concern to regional broadcasters as you know. The two-out-of-three rule is of concern to some players but the reach rule is the one of greatest urgency by people in the industry.
So you are likely to move on the reach rule before you move on ownership?
I didn’t say that.
But I can interpret that from what you said.
You may say that, I couldn’t possibly comment.
Players in the media landscape have all got somewhat different views. There are some people strongly in favour of removing the reach rule. At least one player is against it. There are other players that say if you do reach you have got to do two out of three. Mitch has got the unenviable task of circling the wagons again. I think he’s done that and he’ll come back with some recommendations. It may be leave things as they are. It may be to propose change. But I don’t want to get ahead of where the cabinet is.
The previous occupant of this office [Tony Abbott] was waiting for an industry consensus. I’ve never detected you have been waiting for an industry consensus.
I’ve known this industry for nearly 40 years.
Have you seen a consensus?
The only consensus has been on broadcasting licence fees.
You’re not waiting for a consensus then?
… a complete consensus, there might have been a consensus. I’ve seen this film before (Laughs).
4 Responses
He will have to ask Murdoch first not Murdoch and cronies control 10 Lib/Labor Govts do what Murdoch wants
Reminds me of House of Cards “You may say that, I couldn’t possibly comment.”
With the regional broadcasters advertising their media reform requests all over their channels I am still perplexed by several things…
1. What reforms do they want and
2. How will these reforms help?
Those ads are basically useless.
With Kerry Stokes in one corner and the Regionals in the other, there would never be a consensus. Live TV streaming has removed any legal limits. A tech savvy viewer can get around geo-blocking and watch any free stream available on the Internet. Basically, Seven is already getting around the “reach” rule. Regional news, well there’s always local Radio, when they’re not simulcasting.