Commercial Radio & Audio has issued a brief statement from its CEO, Ford Ennals, reacting to Australia’s introduction of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Prominence and Anti-siphoning) Bill 2023.
According to Michelle Rowland, Australia’s Minister for Communications, the bill “will amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to introduce a prominence framework for connected TV devices and reform the antisiphoning scheme.”
Anti-siphoning laws and regulations prevent pay television broadcasters buying monopoly rights to televise important and culturally significant events before free-to-air television has a chance to bid on them.
In the CRA statement, Ennals says, “Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed the introduction of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Prominence and Anti-siphoning) Bill 2023. CRA and our members are hopeful that we will soon see a similar regime introduced for radio prominence to ensure free, easy, universal access to Australian radio in cars and on smart speakers.
“It is critical for both the sustainability of the radio industry and community safety that all Australians can easily access a local radio station, for example, during emergencies such as bushfires, storms, or even traffic incidents. The Australian radio industry is united in this request, with commercial radio broadcasters, the ABC, SBS and CBAA requesting a joint regulatory solution from Government.”
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