Our advocacy to Federal Parliament continues to make progress to improve the operating environment and support available to our members.
Firstly, the Government announced changes to the News Bargaining Incentive which aims to compel Meta, Google, TikTok and LinkedIn to pay for the news content they carry on their platforms. The changes announced have responded in part to concerns raised by CBAA that small media organisations would miss out. See our joint statement here.
The Australian Government has also announced a package of proposed broadcasting reforms that could make community broadcasting easier to access, reduce regulatory barriers for stations and create new opportunities to strengthen community radio news and journalism.
The proposed reforms, announced by Minister for Communications the Hon Anika Wells MP here, include action on recommendations from the Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review, improved discoverability of Australian radio services on smart speakers, and support for new First Nations radio broadcasters in Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart.
CBAA has welcomed the announcement as a significant step towards ensuring community broadcasting remains accessible, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of local communities.
CBAA CEO Jon Bisset said the proposed reforms would help strengthen local broadcasting and ensure Australians can continue to access trusted local information.
"These reforms will make local radio stations stronger and easier to access.
"The 450 community radio and TV stations across Australia are powered by locals – they help listeners stay connected and informed about what is happening just down the street in real time – they produce local independent news and information, cover local sport and events, celebrate new local Australian music and support communities though emergencies.
"It is vital we keep local media strong, trusted and accessible – so our communities are connected with each other and informed about what is happening on their local high street – not just in Canberra or Washington."
Making community radio easier to find
Among the proposed reforms is the introduction of a radio prominence framework for smart speakers.
The Government intends the changes to make Australian radio services easier to discover and access on internet-connected devices, helping ensure listeners can continue to find trusted local broadcasters as listening habits evolve.
If implemented this would improve the visibility of community radio services alongside commercial and national broadcasters on listening platforms increasingly used by Australian audiences.
Reducing red tape for stations
The Government has also committed to progressing reforms arising from the Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review through the proposed legislation.
The reforms are intended to provide greater regulatory certainty for community broadcasters, streamline administrative requirements, and give stations more opportunities to generate their own revenue through increased and more flexible sponsorship limits.
CBAA has long advocated for modernising regulation so that stations can spend more time serving their communities and less time navigating unnecessary administrative processes.
Expanding First Nations broadcasting
The proposed package also includes support for establishing First Nations radio broadcasters in cities that currently do not have one, including Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart.
If delivered, these new services would create more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to share stories, languages and cultures while ensuring more Australians have access to locally produced First Nations content.
Funding Australian News and Journalism
The Australian Government has proposed to introduce legislation for the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) next week. CBAA has welcomed the Government’s commitment to address disruption to the news industry and advertising revenue caused by digital platforms.
The action taken by the Government to introduce the NBI is critical for a strong and sustainable news media sector, and the regional, culturally diverse and other communities they serve.
Changes announced by the Government recognise that the news and journalism ecosystem depends on the small, independent and diverse publishers who serve regional and diverse communities.
CBAA particularly welcome the Government’s adoption of an industry proposal for a dedicated grant program to distribute a proportion of the revenue to small publishers.
The proposed grant program will include media organisations under the $150,000 revenue threshold as beneficiaries of a grant program.
CBAA is working with the Government to improve the opportunities for community broadcasters to access financial benefits flowing from the scheme, including increasing the amount of funding and expanding the eligibility for this new grant opportunity.
See our joint statement here.
Next steps
The proposed measures form part of a broader package of broadcasting reforms designed to ensure Australia's media laws keep pace with changing technology and audience behaviour.
CBAA will continue working with the Australian Government and parliamentarians throughout the legislative process to help ensure the reforms deliver the strongest possible outcomes for community broadcasters and the communities they serve.