Media CEOs in show of force for media reform

Standing shoulder to shoulder in a rare show of force, a who’s-who of the country’s top media execs gathered in Canberra last night to show their support for the government’s media reform package.

David Koch hosted the event at Parliament House attended by PM Malcolm Turnbull and Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield.

CEO’s from commercial Free to Air & Pay TV joined with newspaper and radio bosses to send a message to Labor, the Greens, One Nation & Independents to pass the government’s package.

In attendance were Nine CEO Hugh Marks, TEN CEO Paul Anderson and Seven CEO Tim Worner, in one of his few public appearances since personal headlines broke. Also attending were Foxtel’s Peter Tonagh, Prime7’s Ian Audsley, WIN’s Andrew Lancaster and Southern Cross’ Grant Blackley.

Nova’s Cathy O’Connor was the sole female amongst the male-dominated power group.

But Labor, the Greens and One Nation remain opposed to removing the 2 out of 3 rule, arguing it protects a diversity of voices. The government says that removing the reach rule in conjunction means diversity would still be protected.

Pauline Hanson has told the government she won’t support the package without funding cuts to the ABC.

The Government’s package includes:

• Abolishing broadcasting licence fees and datacasting charges
• Applying a fee for the spectrum that broadcasters use at a level more reflective of the
current media landscape
• Further restrictions on gambling advertising in live sporting events across all
platforms
• Amending the anti-siphoning scheme and list
• Repealing the two out of three and 75% audience reach media ownership rules
• A broad ranging and comprehensive review of Australian and children’s content
• Funding to support the broadcasting of women’s and niche sports.

In a joint statement, the CEOs said:

Change is crucial to bring media regulation into the digital age and preserve the future viability of the sector, which supports more than 30,000 jobs.

Australian media operators must be allowed to compete more effectively against multinational internet giants that are taking hundreds of millions of advertising dollars out of Australia.

All Australians benefit from having a competitive and independent media sector that is able to deliver checks and balances in a healthy democracy. Australian media needs to be empowered to continue to reflect Australian values and tell Australian stories.

This package is key to the entire industry’s ability to keep creating great content that is read, watched and listened to by millions of Australians every day.

Media CEOs call on Parliament to preserve Australian content, voices and jobs by supporting the passage of the broadcast and media reform package in its entirety.

This statement is endorsed by the following:

Hugh Marks, CEO, Nine Entertainment
Tim Worner, CEO, Seven West Media
Paul Anderson, CEO, Ten Network
Ian Audsley, CEO, Prime Media Group
Andrew Lancaster, CEO, WIN Corporation
Harold Mitchell, Chair, FreeTV Australia
Pam Longstaff, Acting CEO, FreeTV Australia
Peter Tonagh, CEO, Foxtel
Tony Shepherd, AO, Chair, ASTRA
Andrew Maiden, CEO, ASTRA
Greg Hywood, CEO, Fairfax Media
Michael Miller, Executive Chair, News Corp Australasia
Grant Blackley, CEO, Southern Cross Austereo
Cathy O’Connor, CEO, NOVA Entertainment
Rob Atkinson, CEO, ARN
Russell Tate, Executive Chair, Macquarie Media
Adam Lang, COO Macquarie Media & CRA Chairman
Rowley Patterson, Chair, ACE Broadcasters
Grant Cameron, CEO, Grant Broadcasters
Bill Caralis, Owner, 2SM Supernetwork Radio
Ron Camplin, Owner, Bathurst Broadcasters
Hans Torv, Chair, Hot Tomato
Stephen Sweeney, CEO, SEN
Ian Kennedy, CEO, Redwave
Les Hawton, Chair, West Coast Broadcasters
Glenn Wheatley, CEO, EON Broadcasters
Rex Morris, CEO, Resonate Broadcasters
Joan Warner, CEO, Commercial Radio Australia