THE heads of Australia’s major news organisations will descend on Canberra tonight to meet with Malcolm Turnbull about the challenges facing the nation’s news media.
More than 25 media bosses will attend a summit at Parliament House, banding together in an unprecedented show of support to lobby the senate to pass the federal government’s proposed media law reforms.
News Corp executive chair Michael Miller, Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh, Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner, Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood and Macquarie Media chief operating officer Adam Lang will address the summit to be hosted by David Koch.
Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield. Picture: AAPSource:AAP
Labor and the Greens are refusing to back one of the reforms — the “two out of three rule” — over concerns it could weaken media diversity.
The rule prevents a company controlling more than two of the three media segments - radio, television and newspapers - in one market.
The change is part of a broader package which includes cutting broadcast licence fees, limiting gambling ads during live sports telecasts and a reduction in the number of events on the anti-siphoning list that quarantines first rights to free-to-air broadcasters.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is refusing to split his package, despite Labor willing to back scrapping the 75 per cent reach rule.
News Corp Australia executive chair Michael Miller is attending. Picture: Dylan RobinsonSource:News Corp Australia
He said the reforms would help sustain Australian news media in the face of emerging competition from social media sites.
Efforts to reform media regulations have been redoubled this year with a parliamentary inquiry launched into the future of journalism to assess the full extent of the challenges facing the industry.
“This package is unabashedly pro-Australian media,” Mr Fifield told ABC radio.
“And what Australian media is telling us is that they want the opportunity to configure in different ways.
“They want greater freedom, so that they can get scale, so that they can be competitive, so that they can be viable for the long haul.
Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh will also be at the meeting. Picture: David GeraghtySource:News Corp Australia
“That’s what this is all about, is ensuring good, strong, viable, long term Australian media organisations.”
The Minister said a strong, diverse media landscape would be maintained through the retention of the “two to a market radio rule”, the “one to a market TV rule” and the “five-four” rule, which ensures five independent voices in a metropolitan area and four independent voices in a regional area.
Fairfax Media CEO Greg Hywood will represent Fairfax Media. Picture: AAPSource:AAP
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission would also oversee the market.
Mr Fifield recognised the unified support among the “big guns” as well as smaller media organisations for the reforms, which include tougher restrictions on gambling advertising in live sporting events, abolishing broadcast licence fees and datacasting charges and repealing the two-out-of-three and 75 per cent audience reach media ownership rules.
Chief Executive Officer Tim Worner will be there for Seven West Media. Picture: David GeraghtySource:News Corp Australia
It also includes a review of Australian and children’s content and funding to support the broadcasting of women’s and niche sports.
“The really significant thing here is that they’ve all come together,” he said.
“They’re all speaking with one voice, saying that they believe that our media reform package needs to be passed and it needs to be passed in its entirety.”
Mr Fifield said the government was open to suggestions on reforms from other parties but he ruled out splitting the bill to pass the majority of measures.
