More evidence of regional shortfalls in Federal Labor’s new media reforms

Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie has again questioned the Federal Labor Government’s new media reforms and their ability to ensure local news for regional and rural areas. In today’s Senate Committees Hearing into the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, and related bills, Senator McKenzie reiterated her stance on local news content. “Any legislation that…

Nationals Senator McKenzie says: No support for a reduction in regional television

The Federal Labor Government’s proposed media reforms, which were introduced to the Parliament today, threaten regional television broadcasters. The proposed abolition of the 75 per cent rule, which prohibits a regional television broadcaster from merging with a metropolitan based broadcaster, would allow national media giants to take over regional networks. If this goes ahead there…

Minister Conroy hearing voices

The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie has called Federal Labor Senator Stephen Conroy to account over media regulation. During Senate question time today, Senator McKenzie grilled the Government Senator over Federal Labor’s proposed “public interest criteria” that media acquisitions would have to meet under the reforms. Labor’s Senator Conroy responded with a bumbling contradiction…