Fed: Alston puts media ownership laws back on the agenda

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2001
Fed: Alston puts media ownership laws back on the agenda

A media ownership merry-go-round could be on the cards again after the government put
an overhaul of media laws back on the agenda in the lead-up to the federal election.

Communications Minister RICHARD ALSTON says the government is again prepared to consider
a full overhaul of media ownership laws, a promise it first made before the 1996 election.

Under the current rules, media moguls cannot own a newspaper and television or radio
station in the same city and foreign ownership is capped at 25-30 per cent for papers
and 20 per cent for television.

The government was forced to back down on its previous reform plans four years ago
after a backbench revolt.

But the start of digital broadcasting and the blending of borders between traditional
media have changed the landscape.

However, Labor and the Australian Democrats have already ruled out any wavering in
support for the existing laws, meaning no changes before the federal election.

AAP RTV kmh/daw/wz/rp

KEYWORD: MEDIA (CANBERRA)

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