THE radio industry has slammed proposals to protect regional content levels as part of the Government’s media reform plans and warned that new digital services must not be used as a “back door into radio”.


Industry body Commercial Radio Australia said plans to regulate local news, community service announcements and emergency warnings were “heavy-handed” and, in the case of emergency warnings, “redundant” as they were already covered by the industry codes of practice.


The reforms, unveiled by Communications Minister Helen Coonan yesterday, show the Government will legislate to protect regional content on radio and television to combat criticism of its “four voices” diversity test in regional areas FULL STORY THE AUSTRALIAN