An independent panel’s report into the competitive activities of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has found both to be complying with their neutrality obligations but recommended they be more open about their competitive activities.
Releasing the report by a panel of eminent Australians, Inquiry into the Competitive Neutrality of the National Broadcasters—report by the Expert Panel, the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Mitch Fifield said it contained a number of recommendations the broadcasters should consider acting on.
“The panel recognised all media organisations are operating in an environment of heighted competitive pressure, driven by changes in the way audiences engage and the entry of global companies into the Australian media market,” Senator Fifield said.
He said the panel found the national broadcasters were applying a ‘best endeavours’ approach to meet competitive neutrality requirements but recommended they improve their transparency, reporting and other processes relating to their competitive activities and Charter performance.
He said the panel also recommended the ABC and SBS Boards give greater guidance on how they take account of other media market participants.
Senator Fifield said he recognised that the Charters of the national broadcasters were broad and allowed flexibility in how they were implemented by the respective Boards.
“It is now up to the national broadcasters to act on these recommendations,” he said.
The three-person panel was made up of Robert Kerr, former head of staff at the Productivity Commission; Julie Flynn, former Chief Executive of Free TV; and Sandra Levy, a former Director of ABC TV.
It was asked to inquire into whether the national broadcasters were operating in a manner consistent with the general principles of competitive neutrality, as defined by the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Policy.
Senator Fifield said the inquiry received 6,839 submissions from members of the public, commercial media, industry stakeholders and the national broadcasters themselves.
The panel’s 131-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
