Cross-media ownership: Malcolm Turnbull says local content would not suffer under proposed changes

Updated

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull says a proposal to change media ownership laws will not reduce local content.

Mr Turnbull is considering changing the rules that prevent cross ownership of radio, television and newspapers in the same market.

There could also be changes that allow consolidation between regional and metropolitan networks.

His comments have sparked concern from Coaliton MPs that local content may be reduced, a point Mr Turnbull rejects.

"If the local content rules weren't there some of the regional broadcasters would have even less content than they have now," he said.

"They have differing levels of content because it depends on their business model.

"The fact is that the content is a separate issue to ownership."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the Government is looking to update ownership laws in the face of a changing media environment.

"We all know that the world of media has changed dramatically over the last decade or so. The media world of the 1990s is almost unrecognisable today," Mr Abbott said.

"You've got television from all around the world that's available online here in Australia, radio from all around the world that's available online. You've got newspapers that are effectively podcasting their product. You've got the ABC producing online services which amount to an online newspaper.

"So the media world has changed beyond recognition over the last couple of decades and it's important that regulation evolve to match the changing environment.

"We're not rushing to change regulation. If and when we do seek to change regulation, it will be in a deregulatory direction because that's the instinct of this Government. But we're not interested in picking unnecessary fights," he said.

Call for Senate committee to examine proposed changes

Nationals Senator John Williams says he wants a Senate committee to examine any proposed changes.

"If it's going to be changed, no doubt there'll need to be regulations to see that the local content is maintained like we do in the radio stations," he said.

"I think this is something that needs to be discussed before a final decision is made."

Senator Williams says the Senate's Communications Committee should look at the issue.

"I think [we should have] an inquiry so we can get the feedback, the input from regional areas especially about what they would think of such changes," he said.

"I think it's important to get the feedback from the community.

"We're here to represent the people. The people should have their say."

The Opposition says it is open to discussions about media ownership but wants to see details from the Government first.

Communications spokesman Jason Clare says he is waiting for a Government proposal before arriving at a position.

"Before we can have a serious debate about media reform, the National Party and the Liberal Party need to sit down and work out this argument that seems to exist between the two of them," he said.

Topics: media, print-media, federal-government, federal-parliament, television-broadcasting, radio-broadcasting, broadcasting, liberals, information-and-communication, australia

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