Commercial radio wants Gov to overhaul ‘onerous’ legislation

Commercial Radio Australia has proposed an overhaul of disclosure requirements in a submission to ACMA’s “Impartiality and Commercial Influence in Broadcast News” discussion paper.

The Australian Communication and Media Authority published the paper today (April 30) as part of the Government’s move to create a more platform-neutral framework across media.

CRA said that changes in the media landscape should result in a review of radio’s obligations.

Chief executive, Joan Warner, explained that radio’s requirements under the Disclosure Standard and Commercial Radio Code of Practice were “onerous” and don’t apply to other platforms.

“We support the disclosure of commercial interests which affect current affairs programs, but commercial radio is the only medium with such prescriptive and disproportionate disclosure obligations,” she said.

“CRA does not support the extension of such onerous obligations to other platforms, but believes the gap between commercial radio and other media should be narrowed.

“In the interests of moving towards a more harmonised, platform-neutral regulatory framework, it’s time for the Disclosure Standard to be reviewed.

CRA also asked that any further regulation be scrapped to reduce red tape.

“The principles enshrined in the Standard are now commonly accepted and applied, and the industry has an exceptionally good compliance record,” said Warner.