Media and regulators respond to Christchurch

25 March 2019 Analysis from Steve Ahern There is a big difference between social media platforms and responsible media. That difference is proactive editorial oversight. This has been sharply...

ACMA investigates broadcasting of Christchurch terrorist attack

18 March 2019 The ACMA has commenced a formal investigation into whether content broadcast by commercial, national and subscription broadcasters of Friday’s terrorist attack in Christchurch breached current...

Changes to Katherine NT radio services

31 January 2019 The ACMA is considering a proposal to see Hot 100 (8HOT) swap from 765AM to FM transmission in Katherine. Darwin listeners already enjoy 8HOT...

Community Radio: Heroes or just Cowboys?

2 January 2019 A number of aggressive community radio stations are certainly skating on thin ice at the moment. I keep asking myself “why is it that...

Respected ACMA senior executive Giles Tanner is set to retire next week

22 November 2018 After almost 30 years, the ACMA’s General Manager, Communications Infrastructure Division, Giles Tanner, will retire at the end of November. At a recent Senate Estimates,...

ACMA invites applications for 4 analog community licences

8 November 2018 The Australian Communications and Media Authority is inviting applications for a number of analog community radio broadcasting licences. Applications for the Perth, McLean, Mareeba and Gold...

Compliance essential but ACMA should not inhibit legitimate station operations: Jon Bisset

26 October 2018 The CBAA has told radioinfo it is aware that the ACMA has contacted a number of stations around Australia regarding their representation of their station’s...

ACMA warning letters worry community broadcasters

25 October 2018 Following recent amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act, a number of community stations in four states have received letters from the ACMA alleging “several complaints”...

Broadcasting futures, space and satellites on the agenda at 2018 Radcomms

21 September 2018 The ACMA has released its program for RadComms 2018, its flagship event dealing with the management and use of Australia’s radiofrequency spectrum. This year’s conference...

New reporting requirements for foreign media owners

5 September 2018 From this week, any foreign person with company interests of 2.5 per cent or more in an Australian media company will need to notify the...

Online gambling advertising brought into line with radio and TV

29 August 2018 Gambling advertising for online services will be brought into line with radio and television services under new rules coming into force on the 28th...

2NUR breaches sponsorship limits

22 August 2018 The University of Newcastle's community radio station 2NUR has breached the sponsorship guidelines by playing more than the mandated 5 minutes per hour, according to...

Broadcasting Act changes may bring complications

15 July 2018 At the end of last month two amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act passed the Senate, and now move to the House of Representatives. Last...

ACMA proposes to extend spectrum for LPONs

5 July 2018 The Australian Communication and Media Authority is proposing to extend the current licencing of LPONs until 2025 (the current determinations will expire on 31 December...

FM switch proposed for Northern Tasmania key regions

6 June 2018 Tasmania is being asked for its input into a plan to upgrade three of the state's commercial AM radio stations. Under the plan, radio stations...

Midwest Radio Network breaches local news rules

11 May 2018 Lithgow-based 2LT failed to meet 'minimum service standards'. 2LT breached a condition of its broadcasting licence by failing to broadcast enough local news bulletins in January...

Ownership speculation continues in Bathurst as 2BS seeks switch to FM

10 May 2018 ACMA calls for submission on the proposal Following today's radioinfo report regarding a possible sale of 2BS and BRock Bathurst, a statement from ACMA chair Nerida...

Written and spoken by bla bla bla: New rules for election ads

1 March 2018 Reforms bring some relief to radio listeners. Changes to the Electoral Act that have just been enacted will bring some relief for radio listeners, who...

Frequency switch proposed for three regional stations

21 December 2017 Three stations in Mandurah, WA and Warrnambool, Victoria could soon swap between AM and FM. Of proposals released today by the Australian Communications and Media...

Hawkesbury Gold begins temporary broadcasts

9 November 2017 Aspirant community broadcaster Hawkesbury Gold has begun sharing broadcast time on the 89.9 FM frequency as of this week. Hawkesbury Radio group will now share...

Hawkesbury Radio to stay on air longer, other groups also contest licence

5 October 2017 After recently losing its full time licence, community station Hawkesbury Radio received some good news last week: it will be able to stay on air...

ABC News breaches impartiality requirements

26 September 2017 The ABC has been found in breach of the impartiality provisions of the ABC Code of Practice. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found...

Covering the same sex marriage law survey: follow the rules

14 September 2017 Same Sex Marriage is a political issue, and as such falls under the rules of the Broadcasting Services Act for political matter. It should be...

‘Disappointing’ news for two community stations that will go dark

28 August 2017 Two community radio operations today have joined a small group of stations to have lost their licences in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority...

Two community stations not renewed in ACMA re-licencing process

28 August 2017 The Australian Communications and Media Authority has renewed 148 of 150 community broadcasting licences assessed in the last financial year. Two of 150 renewal applications received in the...

No prospects for aspirant stations in Melbourne: Senate Estimates

22 July 2017 In written follow up to questions on notice about aspirant community stations in Melbourne, ACMA Chairman Richard Bean told the Senate Communications Committee "the ACMA...

Digital radio on its way to all capital cities

31 May 2017 As the trial of digital radio services in Canberra and Darwin is set to be made permanent, The Australian Communications and Media Authority has also...

Local news is important for regional Australians: ACMA research

21 May 2017 86% of regional Australians say local news is important to them, according to research released last week at the ACMA Content Conversation in Sydney. 87%...

Pre-rolls are not delivering enough income themselves, but brand integration is making money

16 May 2017 In a session about change at the ACMA Content Conversation conference today, innovative screen writer and multi media producer Mike Jones told delegates, “when a...

Our voices do matter: Communications Minister Fifield

16 May 2017 “Australian stories must be told and and our voices must be heard. Our voices do matter,” Communications Minister Mitch Fifield told delegates at today’s ACMA...