Cross-media ownerships
Helen Coonan (Media and Communication Minister) released the new Government policy on cross media ownerships. With the exception of the provision that there must be at least 5 media providers, the "medial moguls" will be able to buy up a newspaper, radio station and TV station in each state.
I don't think this is a good idea. As it is, there is a significant bias in the media. This can only get worse. Plus the cross-promotions will further degrade the quality of news and current affairs reporting (if that is at all possible).
Also, the deadline for digital TV (switch-off of Analogue) is shifted back to 2010. However, the government regulations prevent any decent material from being shown on Digital channels. But we only have 4 years of free-to-air analogue. Go figure!
Perhaps we should do what the UK has done (and has the fastest takeup of Digital TV in the world). They used the public BBC to pioneer Digital content, to the point where it was broadcasting prime-time shows on Digital BEFORE they came on Analogue. THey now have 30 channels available in free-to-air Digital. Rather than threatening us with a deadline to convert, perhaps the Government should fund the ABC properly (god forbid!) and use them to drive Digital. The media controllers at the moment have no incentive to push digital content - they are quite happy with the status quo and recieve little returns on investment in the digital spectrum. Some support for the public broadcaster could unleash the POWER OF A FULLY OPERATIONAL BATTLE-STA...errrr... the ABC.
Besides, I get tingles down my spine thinking of Kerry O'Brien in high definition!
I don't think this is a good idea. As it is, there is a significant bias in the media. This can only get worse. Plus the cross-promotions will further degrade the quality of news and current affairs reporting (if that is at all possible).
Also, the deadline for digital TV (switch-off of Analogue) is shifted back to 2010. However, the government regulations prevent any decent material from being shown on Digital channels. But we only have 4 years of free-to-air analogue. Go figure!
Perhaps we should do what the UK has done (and has the fastest takeup of Digital TV in the world). They used the public BBC to pioneer Digital content, to the point where it was broadcasting prime-time shows on Digital BEFORE they came on Analogue. THey now have 30 channels available in free-to-air Digital. Rather than threatening us with a deadline to convert, perhaps the Government should fund the ABC properly (god forbid!) and use them to drive Digital. The media controllers at the moment have no incentive to push digital content - they are quite happy with the status quo and recieve little returns on investment in the digital spectrum. Some support for the public broadcaster could unleash the POWER OF A FULLY OPERATIONAL BATTLE-STA...errrr... the ABC.
Besides, I get tingles down my spine thinking of Kerry O'Brien in high definition!
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