IN THE NEWS

7th Asia-Pacific Regulatory Roundtable ABA investigations: Ownership and control

he ABA hosted the 7th Asia - discussion covered matters con- of 2GB and 2CH TPacific Regulatory cerning regulatory balance, in- Roundtable, which was held in dustry development and Sydney from 28–30 October. consumer access. he ABA announced on ies of Macquarie Radio Net- The meeting was attended by Mr Colin Griffith of TONIC T1 November that in ac- work Pty Ltd. representatives from Hong media, and Ms Andree Wright, cordance with its statutory Kong SAR China, Malaysia, New ABA Director Industry Perform- role to monitor the broad- Complaints about 2GB Zealand, Singapore, South Ko- ance and Review, made key casting industry, and in or- and 2UE rea, Taiwan and Australia. presentations on the following der to be properly informed, it Senator the Hon. Richard topics, respectively: will investigate the relevant as- The ABA is also investigating Alston, Minister for Communi- • audiovisual streaming: tech- pects of the ownership and allegations that 2GB Sydney and cations, Information Technol- nology, industry develop- control of 2GB and 2CH. 2UE Sydney have breached: ogy and the Arts, addressed the ments, consumer use and On 29 and 31 October 2002, a)the licence condition that re- delegates on digital develop- regulatory implications and the ABA received notifications quires identification of cer- ments in Australia and the pro- • internet content regulation in that Mr Alan Jones was, from tain political matter and posal in the Media Ownership Australia: an international co- 24 October 2002, in a position b)a licence condition requiring Bill that would remove foreign operative approach. to exercise control of the li- compliance with the Broad- ownership requirements in the Many of the countries are un- cences for commercial radio casting Services Standards Broadcasting Services Act. dergoing changes that would services 2GB and 2CH Sydney (commonly known as the Delegates presented papers have an impact on regulatory in accordance with the Broad- commercial radio standards). on the themes: frameworks, including current casting Services Act. The allegations relate to • managing industry perform- discussion in Australia to merge The ABA must be notified of broadcasts concerning Telstra ance in the public interest the ABA and changes in control of a com- by Mr on 2UE and • implications of globalised Communications Authority. mercial broadcasting licence Mr Alan Jones on 2GB. Mr Laws communications and Professor Flint chaired the within seven days. has a sponsorship agreement • perspectives on the effects of Roundtable and the ABA del- Macquarie Radio Network has with Telstra and Telstra has an digitisation. egation was led by Deputy previously assured the ABA that agreement with 2GB to spon- Differing perspectives in- Chair, Lyn Maddock and in- there was no change to report sor the breakfast program pre- cluded that of the regulator, cluded Giles Tanner, General in relation to the ownership or sented by Mr Jones. industry or consumer. Lively Manager. control of 2GB. The complaint received by The change notified is a the ABA claims that both 2GB result of an agreement un- and 2GB broadcast political der which Hadiac Pty Ltd, matter at the request of another trustee of the Jones Family person, without announcing the Trust, becomes entitled to required particulars (commonly be paid a dividend interest known as ‘the tag’) immedi- exceeding fifteen per cent ately afterwards. in Macquarie Radio Network Pty Ltd. Harbour Radio Pty Ltd (the licensee company of 2GB Syd- ney) and Radio 2CH Pty Ltd To view the commercial radio (licensee of 2CH Sydney) are standards, go to both wholly owned subsidiar- www.aba.gov.au/radio/ Delegates to the Roundtable content/standards/index.htm

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