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Networks call for end to election ad blackout

Unhappy at missing out on ad revenue, TV networks call time on an outdated regulation.

2016-06-28_2355Free to Air commercial networks have called for an end to election advertising blackout, which is now in effect ahead of Saturday’s election.

The ban, which applies only to commercial broadcasters, means networks miss out on lucrative ad revenue that is freely available to online and print industries. It was introduced in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

Free TV Chairman, Harold Mitchell, said: “The rules are yet another example of the failure of successive governments to keep pace with changes in technology and consumer behaviour.

“The so-called electronic media blackout has become a joke”.

“With reports that up to 40% of people are now pre-poll voting, the blackout is more meaningless than ever,” he added.

Free TV is calling on the new Parliament to dump the rule.

“We all know that from midnight tonight the political parties will simply transfer their advertising from television to other digital media platforms that are not regulated, such as digital news media sites and social media. For example, online news sites will be plastered with wall to wall political advertising, including video ads,” Mitchell said.

17 Responses

  1. No difference on ABC News 24….still pollies and political news…so dont see how the ban on commercial channels makes an iota of difference….

  2. “With reports that up to 40% of people are now pre-poll voting, the blackout is more meaningless than ever”. An odd statement. Perhaps – With reports that up to 40% of people are now pre-poll voting, the endless five-per-break political ads are more meaningless than ever’ more accurate?
    And perhaps the view that “The so-called electronic media blackout has become a joke” should be “The so-called electronic media has become a joke”.
    Give us a break Harold. It’s more than overkill. You got your 20+ mins/hr, up from 12 mins, all-day “advertorials” (adverts masquerading as program content). Thank God only tonight then FTA is back to steam mops and blenders.

  3. “For example, online news sites will be plastered with wall to wall political advertising, including video ads,” Mitchell said.

    He obviously hasn’t heard of AdBlock and AdBlock Plus, Ghostery and PrivacyBadger et al, or the blocking mechanisms inherent in modern browsers. I’m also concerned that any news site would allow itself to be “plastered wall to wall” with advertisements. No, not concerned… doubtful.

  4. Ban election adverts altogether. Go back to the local candidate having to convince us they are worthy of electing. See a totally different result than we are use to.

  5. “With reports that up to 40% of people are now pre-poll voting, the blackout is more meaningless than ever”

    Not unlike the advertising.

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