The official response to a review into the impact of digital technology on competition in media and advertising markets by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been handed down.
Launched by the ACCC in December 2017, the review looked into the impact of digital search engines, social media platforms and digital content aggregators on the state of competition in media markets as part of a package of reforms aimed at modernising Australia’s media laws.
The ACCC report set out 23 recommendations emphasising the need for reform to better protect consumers, improve transparency, address power imbalances and ensure market power is not used to lessen competition in the media market.
Following receipt of the report, the Treasury undertook a 12-week public consultation process, receiving more than 100 written submissions and holding numerous stakeholder meetings.
“Digital technologies are going to be an increasingly important part of our economic and social landscape,” Treasury said.
“The Government wants to get the right regulations in place so Australia can be a leading digital economy,” it said.
“That also means ensuring the protections that exist in the real world also exist in the digital world.”
Treasury said the reforms agreed to by the Government and outlined in its Implementation Roadmap would strengthen competition and consumer protection and improve the sustainability of the Australian media landscape.
It said a new ‘special unit’ within the ACCC would be set up to monitor and report on the state of competition and consumer protection in digital platform markets, taking enforcement action when necessary, and undertaking inquiries as directed by the Treasurer.
It said a review of the Privacy Act would also be conducted to ensure privacy settings empowered consumers, protected their data and best served the Australian economy.
Treasury said that the first stage of media regulation reforms were to commence in 2020, with a focus on developing a uniform classification framework across all media platforms, determining Australian content obligations on free-to-air TV broadcasters and identifying other aspects of the policy framework to support Australian film and TV content.
The 19-page official response can be accessed at this PS News link.
