41 broadcasting matters assessed
14 investigations commenced
10 investigations finalised
3 investigations with breach findings
Quarterly highlights
Community broadcasters have a role in providing services not otherwise delivered by commercial and national broadcasters—particularly in producing material of local significance. It is important for local communities to participate in their community stations so that their voices, views and opinions are heard.
From 1 September 2018, a new requirement for community broadcasters to provide material of local significance came into effect. This is now factored into the ACMA’s assessment of community broadcasting licence allocations and renewals.
Since this time, the assessment of 14 licence renewals has focused on the delivery of local content. The 14 licensees reported broadcasting an average of 125 hours (or 74%) of material of local significance in a sample week of 168 hours. Of the 125 hours, 80% (or 100 hours) was content hosted or produced in the local area.
Broadcasting complaints and investigations
The ACMA considers every complaint it receives and assesses whether to investigate the complaint.
Number of broadcasting matters / investigations
Investigations commenced or declined by broadcast sector
Investigations finalised
Investigations finalised by broadcast sector
Broadcasting: Average time taken to finalise closed investigations as at 31 December 2018
Provisions investigated
The ACMA receives and investigates complaints about a variety of licence conditions, program standards and codes of practice. Broadcasting codes of practice investigations usually assess a broadcast against more than one provision of the relevant code.
The following table shows finalised investigations and the relevant provisions. Breaches found during this period are shown in bold.
| Investigation number | Broadcaster
|
Provisions investigated
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Provisions of the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2015 |
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|
BI-431 |
Channel Seven Queensland Pty Ltd |
|
|
|
TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd |
|
||
|
Provisions of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 |
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|
Port Stephens FM Radio Inc |
|
||
|
Sunshine FM Radio Association |
|
||
|
Channel Seven Queensland Pty Limited |
|
||
|
Network Ten (Brisbane) |
|
||
|
Network Investments |
|
||
|
Provisions of the Subscription Television |
|||
|
Foxtel Cable Television |
|
||
|
Provisions of the national broadcaster (ABC and SBS) codes |
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|
Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
|
||
|
Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
|
||
