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Print Chapter 5 (PDF 202KB) | < - Report Home < - Chapter 4 : Chapter 6 - > |
The move to digital broadcasting
Committee comment
Transmission fees
Committee comment
Other technologies
Committee comment
Radio for the Print Handicapped
Committee comment
5.1 | This chapter examines other issues affecting the community broadcasting sector, including:
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The move to digital broadcasting |
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5.2 | The Minister for Communications, Information technology and the Arts announced the framework for the introduction of digital radio in October 2005.1 |
5.3 | CBAA stated that, at that time:
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5.4 | CBF stated that the announcement of the Australian Government’s Digital Radio Framework in October 2005 changed several key industry assumptions about the process and has shifted the time-frame for implementation from the horizon to the foreground.3 |
5.5 | CBF outlined the state of play surrounding the move to digital:
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5.6 | CBAA also discussed the digital conversion process:
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5.7 | CBAA added:
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5.8 | Submissions to the inquiry have generally indicated that most community broadcasting stations are not yet considering the move to digital broadcasting. |
5.9 | Indeed, some stations cannot yet afford digital production facilities for their stations. For many stations, the move to digital is many years away and well beyond current station budgets. |
5.10 | Melbourne’s 3CR stated that the possibilities of digital radio are yet to be fully explored as it struggles to implement other much needed technologies.7 |
5.11 | Melbourne’s 3CR explained that it cannot begin to think about the move to digital broadcasting, as it can barely afford digital production technology:
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5.12 | Eastside Radio in inner Sydney is in a similar situation:
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5.13 | Western Victorian station 3WAY FM summarised its position with regard to digital conversion:
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5.14 | CBAA suggested that the sector would need financial support for the move to digital:
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5.15 | Melbourne’s 3ZZZ stated that its ability to broadcast in digital will be limited without:
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5.16 | AFMN stated that each station supports the move to digital, however:
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5.17 | Upper Goulburn FM stated that the cost of conversion would be too great:
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5.18 | Melbourne’s 3RRR discussed the need for financial support:
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5.19 | CBF suggested that the move to digital will require a change in outlook for some community broadcasters:
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5.20 | CBF added that the greater challenge will be for the sector to:
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5.21 | Noosa Community Radio raised concerns about licensing arrangements under the new digital broadcasting regime:
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5.22 | Family Radio is also concerned that the community radio sector will be disadvantaged with respect to commercial radio services:
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5.23 | CBF summarised the move to digital issue:
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5.24 | FSG sought $2 458 000 in 2007-08 for funding support for the first year of the first phase of digital radio implementation.20 |
5.25 | FSG indicated that this amount was for estimated capital and operational transmission costs for the first year implementation, as supplied to DCITA by the CBAA in October 2006.21 |
5.26 | FSG also indicated that additional capital and operational costs for the second year of implementation (main VHF site in each city plus full hub costs) would total $5.633 million.22 |
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Committee comment |
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5.27 | The Committee noted that many submissions did not provide extensive comments on the conversion to digital broadcasting. The Committee was surprised that several key submissions did not elaborate on the issue. This indicated that broadcasters are not considering the move to digital as an urgent issue for the immediate future. |
5.28 | The Committee understands the barriers faced by many smaller community broadcasters in terms of being able to afford the move to digital broadcasting. |
5.29 | The Committee appreciates how difficult it can be for stations to raise revenue for current services. The Committee recognises that obtaining additional funds for digital conversion will be particularly difficult. |
5.30 | The Committee is pleased to note that the Australian Government has made a significant commitment in the 2007-08 Budget for digital radio rollout. A commitment of $10.5 million has been made to help community and national broadcasters establish digital radio infrastructure. |
5.31 | However, the Committee must make comment of its surprise at the 2007-08 Australian Government commitment to digital radio conversion at this time. While supportive of the funding, the Committee notes that many community radio stations are facing more immediate issues, with infrastructure and equipment replacement needed as a priority before thought is given to digital conversion. If the funding for digital conversion is to be effective, the Committee reiterates the importance of increasing core and targeted funding beginning in 2007-08, as recommended earlier. |
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Transmission fees |
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5.32 | A key threat for the community broadcasting sector is further pressure on viability through marked increases in transmission site access fees charged by commercial providers.23 |
5.33 | CBAA stated that only 69 per cent of community broadcasters enjoy reception coverage on par with other broadcasters in their areas.24 |
5.34 | CBAA also stated that with 60 per cent of stations leasing their transmission site and/or facilities from a third party, the increasing cost of transmission is a major concern.25 |
5.35 | CBAA provided some background on transmission for the sector:
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5.36 | CBAA added:
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5.37 | CBAA acknowledged the Australian Government’s assistance with the problem:
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5.38 | CBAA discussed the control of transmission sites and the increase in fees:
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5.39 | CBAA explained that many of the site access agreements came up for renegotiation in 2003-04:
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5.40 | When asked if the increase in fees was significantly disadvantaging the sector, 3RRR stated:
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5.41 | Melbourne’s 3RRR discussed the history of transmission arrangements:
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5.42 | A number of submissions shared concerns about significant increases in transmission fees, and how those costs would be met in the future. |
5.43 | PMBA stated:
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5.44 | Coral Coast Community Radio stated:
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5.45 | ArtSound FM suggested that:
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5.46 | Melbourne’s 3MBS suggested a different approach to operating transmission sites:
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5.47 | CBAA recommended that core and targeted funding support should be indexed in key areas of rising cost such as transmission site access and transmission technology access.37 |
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Committee comment |
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5.48 | The Committee is of the opinion that the community broadcasting sector, a not-for-profit sector, should not be exposed to significant increases in transmission fees. |
5.49 | The Committee notes that the Australian Government provides a significant amount of funding to the sector to subsidise transmission costs. However the sector will cease to exist if transmission costs continue to escalate at current rates. This will result in the Australian Government having to increase it subsidisation of transmission costs unless an alternative is reached. |
5.50 | The Committee understands that private companies may charge market prices for their services, however the Committee is surprised by the particularly significant increases that not-for-profit community broadcasters have had to face in recent times. |
5.51 | The Committee notes the success of Community Service Obligations in other sectors in ensuring equity and access for community organisations. The Committee notes the option that the Australian Government has to make transmission for community broadcasting a Community Service Obligation. There is also concern that transmission access is an issue that warrants investigation. |
5.52 | The Committee recommends that an investigation be conducted by the Australian Government to determine if recent fee increases have been fair on community broadcasters, what charges should be levied against not-for-profit community broadcasters in the future, and to determine if any particular competition issues need to be addressed. |
Recommendation 12
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Other technologies |
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5.53 | CBAA discussed the use of other technologies by community broadcasters:
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5.54 | CBAA elaborated:
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5.55 | The ACT Government also discussed new technologies:
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5.56 | Many stations that made submissions to the inquiry indicated that they stream their services to the internet.41 |
5.57 | For example, Melbourne’s 3MBS stated that it operates a streaming service, allowing:
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5.58 | Many Indigenous community broadcasters, particularly the regional network hubs, city stations and the more developed remote stations, take advantage of the internet:
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5.59 | New and developing technologies are used differently by particular community groups. Noosa Community Radio stated:
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5.60 | AFMN also discussed changing demographics and new technologies:
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5.61 | Brisbane’s 4EB FM also discussed changing audience and technology:
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5.62 | SYN discussed technological developments in its submission:
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5.63 | SYN explained that media literacy for young people is as important as traditional literacy:
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5.64 | SYN elaborated on the value of community broadcasting for young people:
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5.65 | SYN discussed its streaming and podcasting services:
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5.66 | SYN also discussed digital content distribution and new media developments:
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5.67 | Sydney’s 2SER considered the emergence of new technologies as both an opportunity and a threat to the sector:
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5.68 | Sydney’s 2SER discussed the importance of new services:
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5.69 | Sydney’s 2SER acknowledged the benefits of new services:
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5.70 | However, 2SER also considered new technologies as a threat:
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5.71 | ACB also considered the development of podcasting and the convergence of broadcasting and the internet as both an opportunity and a threat to the sector. ACB suggested that:
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5.72 | Eastside Radio is concerned that new technologies may cost too much for smaller broadcasters:
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5.73 | Artsound FM discussed the benefits of new technologies, but re-emphasised the value of local community broadcasting:
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Committee comment |
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5.74 | The Committee is impressed by the number of community broadcasters embracing new ways for broadcasting their important services. There is no doubt that streaming to the internet, podcasting and other technologies will greatly enhance community broadcasting. |
5.75 | The Committee is disappointed that the new era of broadcasting utilising other technologies was not greatly emphasised by stations in their submissions to the inquiry. |
5.76 | The Committee understands that some stations may struggle with the cost of introducing new technologies at their stations. However, the Committee also recognises that some stations with very modest budgets have introduced broadcasting techniques such as internet streaming, which has benefited their station and extended their services to a wider audience. |
5.77 | The Committee notes that the opportunity for broadcasters to share content has escalated immensely with digital distribution. The Committee strongly encourages community broadcasters to become creative and innovative in the use of new technologies. |
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Radio for the Print Handicapped |
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5.78 | Vision Australia stated that utilisation of the internet for RPH delivery can:
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5.79 | RPH stations are able to provide their services as they each hold a print disability radio licence under Section 47 of the Copyright Act 1968 (the Copyright Act).60 |
5.80 | Sydney’s 2RPH explained:
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5.81 | Vision Australia explained that the primary barrier to utilisation of the Internet for RPH delivery is:
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5.82 | Sydney’s 2RPH pointed out that the Copyright Act does not exempt RPH service providers from copyright obligations should they wish to make their services available on the internet as a streaming audio service, or if they wished to provide audio content via a telephone service.63 |
5.83 | Vision Australia discussed barriers that its services face:
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5.84 | The Attorney-General conducted a review of the Copyright Act in 1998. That review considered copying for people with disabilities, and commented on other forms of transmission:
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5.85 | Sydney’s 2RPH commented that while this report raised the issue of delivery of RPH services over the internet, no action was taken at that time.66 |
5.86 | Sydney’s 2RPH explained its rationale for seeking to stream their service to the internet:
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5.87 | Sydney’s 2RPH added:
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5.88 | Sydney’s 2RPH discussed its preference for the broadcasting of its service:
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5.89 | Sydney’s 2RPH added:
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5.90 | While the Copyright Amendment Act 2006 was passed in late 2006, it appears that this amending Act did not consider the issue of internet streaming for RPH services.71 |
5.91 | Vision Australia’s submission recommended that:
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Committee comment |
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5.92 | The Committee is concerned that vital RPH services may not be available to those Australians that need them. |
5.93 | There may be a significant number of Australians that are not able to receive RPH radio broadcasts. There may also be a substantial number of people that prefer to listen to broadcasts on their computer, or download broadcasts to listen to at a later time. |
5.94 | The Committee is of the opinion that the provisions of the statutory licence under the Copyright Act should be extended to non-RPH community broadcasters, provided that those broadcasters are utilising material from accredited RPH content providers. |
5.95 | The Committee is of the opinion that RPH services should be broadcast on the internet. |
5.96 | The Committee understands that an appropriate statutory licence is required for the broadcast of RPH services on the internet. The Committee recommends that the Australian Government amend the Copyright Act to allow RPH services to be broadcast on the internet, either as a streamed broadcast or downloadable files. |
Recommendation 13
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Recommendation 14
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1 | <www.minister.dcita.gov.au/media/media_releases/framework_for_the_introduction_of_digital_radio>, accessed 3 May 2007. Back |
2 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 30. Back |
3 | CBF, submission no. 114, p. 28. Back |
4 | CBF, submission no. 114, p. 28. Back |
5 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 31. Back |
6 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 32. Back |
7 | 3CR, submission no. 26, p. 4. Back |
8 | 3CR, submission no. 26, p. 4. Back |
9 | Eastside Radio, submission no. 9, p. 3. Back |
10 | 3WAY FM, submission no. 30, p. 3. Back |
11 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 31. Back |
12 | AFMN, submission no. 40, p. 5. Back |
13 | UGFM, submission no. 44, p. 4. Back |
14 | 3RRR, transcript of evidence 24 May 2006, p. 8. Back |
15 | CBF, submission no. 114, p. 29. Back |
16 | CBF, submission no. 114, p. 29. Back |
17 | Noosa Community Radio, submission no. 73, p. 4. Back |
18 | Family Radio, submission no. 36, p. 6. Back |
19 | CBF, submission no. 114, pp. 29-30. Back |
20 | FSG, exhibit no. 11, p. 14. Back |
21 | FSG, exhibit no. 11, p. 14. Back |
22 | FSG, exhibit no. 11, p. 14. Back |
23 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
24 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
25 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
26 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42; CBAA, transcript of evidence 31 May 2006, p. 5. Back |
27 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
28 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
29 | CBAA, transcript of evidence 31 May 2006, p. 6. Back |
30 | CBAA, transcript of evidence 31 May 2006, p. 6. Back |
31 | 3RRR, transcript of evidence 24 May 2006, p. 17. Back |
32 | 3RRR, transcript of evidence 24 May 2006, p. 17. Back |
33 | PMBA, submission no. 121, p. 4. Back |
34 | Coral Coast Community Radio, submission no. 95, p. 6. Back |
35 | ArtSound FM, submission no. 28, p. 4. Back |
36 | 3MBS, submission no. 71, p. 4. Back |
37 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 42. Back |
38 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 13. Back |
39 | CBAA, submission no. 61, p. 13. Back |
40 | ACT Government, submission no. 122, p. 4. Back |
41 | 3RRR, submission no. 110, p. 2; 96five FM, submission no. 36, p. 4; Rainbow FM, submission no. 18, p. 3; 4BAY FM, submission no. 11, p. 4; SYN, submission no. 126, p. 4; Narrabri Shire Community Radio, submission no. 48, p. 2; 4EB FM, submission no. 54, p. 2; 4MBS, submission no. 84, p. 2; Light FM, submission no. 77, p. 3; TUNE! FM, submission no. 81, p. 3; Western Radio Broadcasters, submission no. 21, p. 5; Back |
42 | 3MBS, submission no. 71, p. 2. Back |
43 | AICA, submission no. 72, p. 3. Back |
44 | Noosa Community Radio, submission no. 73, p. 3. Back |
45 | AFMN, submission no. 40, p. 5. Back |
46 | 4EB FM, submission no. 54, p. 2. Back |
47 | SYN, submission no. 126, p. 10. Back |
48 | SYN, submission no. 126, p. 10. Back |
49 | SYN, submission no. 126, p. 10. Back |
50 | SYN, submission no. 126, p. 10. Back |
51 | SYN, submission no. 126, p. 10. Back |
52 | 2SER, submission no. 118, p. 5. Back |
53 | 2SER, submission no. 118, p. 5. Back |
54 | 2SER, submission no. 118, p. 5. Back |
55 | 2SER, submission no. 118, p. 5. Back |
56 | ACB, submission no. 106, p. 14. Back |
57 | Eastside Radio, submission no. 9, p. 3. Back |
58 | Artsound FM, submission no. 28, p. 3. Back |
59 | Vision Australia, submission no. 107, p. 9. Back |
60 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 4. Back |
61 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 4. Back |
62 | Vision Australia, submission no. 107, p. 9. Back |
63 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 4. Back |
64 | Vision Australia, submission no. 107, p. 8. Back |
65 | Attorney-General’s Department, Simplification of the Copyright Act 1968, September 1998, <www.ag.gov.au/agd/WWW/clrHome.nsf/Page/Overview_Reports_Simplification_of_the_ Copyright_Act:_Part_1>, accessed 3 May 2007. Back |
66 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 4. Back |
67 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 4. Back |
68 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 5. Back |
69 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 5. Back |
70 | 2RPH, submission no. 101, p. 5. Back |
71 | Copyright Amendment Act information sheet, <www.copyright.org.au/news/newsbytopic/ changesnews/u27261>, accessed 3 May 2007 ; <www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/legcon_ ctte/copyright06/index.htm>, accessed 3 May 2007. Back |
72 | Vision Australia, submission no. 107, p. 10. Back |
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