Louise McElvogue, has been appointed as the 3rd member of the Convergence Review Committee (joining Glen Borham (Chair) and Malcolm Long). Louise has worked in the United Kingdom including launch of ‘SeeSaw’[1] a video-on-demand (VOD) platform operated by Arqiva, which acquiring the remnants of Project ‘Kangaroo’ (the defunct broadband TV joint-venture from BBC Worldwide, ITV & Channel 4). Louise previously worked on the launch of ‘4oD’, the Channel 4 (UK) VOD platform.[2] Louise McElvogue adds expertise in delivery of content on broadband systems which is a welcome addition as VOD and IPTV platforms have the potential to add the diversity and competition to the Australian media environment.
My blog of 12 April 2011 provided a review of the process of the Convergence Review 2011– the medium and the message. The ‘Framing Paper’,[3] issued on 28 April 2011, is a step in the review process leading to the ‘Issues Paper” in June and hearings by the committee in July 2011.
Timeframe of Convergence Review
Framing paper submissions close: | 10 June 2011 |
Emerging Issues paper released: | June 2011 |
Hearings: | July 2011 |
Detailed discussion papers: | August 2011 |
Final report: | March 2012 |
The ‘Framing Paper’ sets out the committee’s thinking on principles that should guide media and communications regulation in Australia, so as to provide a ‘starting point’ to indentify the objectives of the convergence review. The principles identified in the Framing paper cover diversity and competition of media sources, a focus on Australian content, an acknowledgment of the importance of reflecting community standards in the delivery of content and addressing the interests of Australians as ‘consumers’ of content delivered on convergent media and the public interest in the allocation of spectrum by which important communication services operate: The principles stated in the Framing Paper’ are:
DIVERSITY & COMPETITION
Principle 1: Australians should have access to a diversity of voices, views and information
Principle 2: The communications and media market should be innovative and competitive, while still ensuring outcomes in the interest of the Australian public
Local and Australian content
Principle 3: Australians should have access to Australian content that reflects and contributes to the development of national and cultural identity
Principle 4: Australians should have access to news and information of relevance to their local community
Community standards
Principle 5: Communications and media services available to Australians should reflect community standards and the views and expectations of the Australian public
Consumer and citizen rights
Principle 6: Australians should have access to the broadest range of content across platforms and services as possible
Principle 7: Service providers should provide the maximum transparency for consumers in how their service is delivered
Spectrum allocation
Principle 8: The government should seek to maximise the overall public benefit derived from the use of spectrum assigned for the delivery of media content and communications services
Having stated these principles the committee invites comment on the appropriateness of the principle as a starting point for the review, as well as asking for submissions on whether there are other principles that a relevant to the convergence review and inviting submissions as to what policy issues do the principles raise in relation to the evolving media and communications environment.[4]
The Convergence Review avoids the controversial topic of sporting rights; by coincidence the release of the Framing Paper occurred on the same day as press speculation that Australian Football League (AFL) television rights from 2012 to 2016 will be licensed to Fox Sports, Channel Seven and Telstra for A$1 billion.[5]
I will repeat a paragraph of my previous blog on the Terms of Reference of the Convergence Review: The Committee will address what are potentially contentious areas of regulation of audiovisual services. The existing free-to-air and pay television services are facing new TV-like services such as IPTV, internet TV and video on demand, all of which emerging services compete with traditional free-to-air and pay TV services for viewers. The treatment of advertising controls, programming classification and Australian content obligations that are directed to “the development of national and cultural identity” are likely to see the existing players arguing for positions that achieve a ‘level’ regulatory playing field across the different media technologies that can deliver TV or TV-like services.[6] Both existing media players and emerging players will be focused on arguing for what they see as a conducive competitive environment for each play or industry sector.[7]
Further information is available at the DBCDE website http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digital_economy/convergence_review#submissions
Twitter @DBCDEgov
[1] http://www.seesaw.com/
[2] http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od
[3] http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digital_economy/convergence_review
[4] Framing Paper, page 19.
[5] Caroline Wilson, AFL's billion dollar baby looms, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 April 20110: http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/afls-billion-dollar-baby-looms-20110428-1dxly.html#ixzz1Kn8zN55o
[6] The Terms of Reference in paragraph 5 b. refer to “ensuring the ongoing production and distribution of local and Australian content that reflects and contributes to the development of national and cultural identity” http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digital_economy/convergence_review/convergence_review_terms_of_reference
[7] The Terms of Reference in paragraph 5 a. refer to “the development and maintenance of a diverse, innovative, efficient and effective communications and media market that operates within an appropriately competitive environment and in the best interest of the Australian public” http://www.dbcde.gov.au/digital_economy/convergence_review/convergence_review_terms_of_reference
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