11 April 2000

Productivity Commission Report on Broadcasting

The Government has today released the Report of the Productivity Commission inquiry into Broadcasting.

The Government welcomes the Report, which provides an informative and rigorous discussion of key issues in broadcasting, in particular the relevance of current broadcasting legislation in a converging media environment. It contains wide-ranging recommendations - covering the conversion to digital television, management of the broadcasting spectrum, ownership and control rules, structural diversity in broadcasting, Australian content (including advertising) and the broadcasting of sport.

The Government is releasing the report now in recognition of the considerable public interest in these issues. The Government will respond to the Commission’s recommendations in due course.

Copies of the Report are available from Government Info Shops, or may be downloaded from the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au.