Media to launch bid for reform

IN a never before seen show of solidarity, Australia’s top media executives will converge on Canberra tomorrow to convince the Senate that media reforms are vital to the future of the industry.

More than 25 chief executives from Australia’s major commercial and subscription TV, newspaper and radio companies will gather to argue the need to modernise outdated media laws to preserve the viability of the sector.

Regional newspaper editors will be among the group, as News Corp, owner of the Gold Coast Bulletin, pushes home the point that change will help ensure the future of titles in towns and cities across the nation. Changes proposed include: • Repealing the ‘two-out-ofthree rule’ that prohibits one company owning a TV station, radio station and a newspaper in the same media market.

• Abolishing a rule preventing a single TV network reaching 75pc of the population

• Reducing licence fees for free-to-air television stations

• Trimming the anti-siphoning list of events that must be offered to free-to-air networks first.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield will address the media summit.