Media Ownership

Issues relating to the diversity of media ownership are important considerations for the Parliament. It is essential to the functioning of the democratic process that a responsible and responsive media exists.

Despite various attempts in the past to diversify and limit media ownership, the Australian media environment in 2006 was recognised as one of the most concentrated in the world.

At that time, the Howard Government removed cross and foreign media ownership rules, on the grounds that a less regulatory approach would rectify media concentration. However, since the passage of deregulatory legislation, there is evidence that the trend continues towards more media ownership concentration. It would appear, therefore, that removing regulation may not achieve greater media diversity.

In order to address this situation, the 42^nd Parliament could consider imposing a media-specific public interest test, such as the one that currently applies to British media. Such a test could:

• help to ensure that future media agreements, actions, acquisitions and mergers of media entities would not substantially decrease the plurality of ownership or diversity of opinion in the Australia media market
• ensure that the actions of media regulators are subject to greater public scrutiny, and
• contribute to creating a more diverse and competitive media environment.

Library documents
Rhonda Jolly, ‘Media ownership deregulation in the United States and Australia: in the public interest?’, Research paper, no. 1, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2007–08.

Documentation
Productivity Commission, ‘Broadcasting’, Report, no. 11, AusInfo, Canberra, 2000.