The Introduction of Digital Radio Issues Paper

April 29, 2005

The Music Council of Australia made this submission to the Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts concerning issues around the introduction of digital radio in Australia. The Department released an issues paper which placed heavy emphasis on a discussion of the possible technologies. The Music Council's submission noted that the technologies are but a means to an end, and should serve the main objectives which are social and cultural.

The MCA takes a keen interest in matters related to radio broadcasting, given that music provides the primary content for the majority of radio services, and radio is the medium that probably offers the greatest public access to music.

The MCA identified three broadcasting priorities

Diversity: That a diversity of music content should be available through radio broadcasting

Australian music: That all radio services should achieve a specified minimum percentage, or better, broadcast content of Australian music.

National and community broadcasting: That national and community broadcasters are adequately accommodated in all spectrum planning and are appropriately resourced by government

The MCA noted the government’s policy principles in relation to the development of digital radio, in particular

That digital radio should promote enhanced quality and diversity of services currently enjoyed in Australia

That digital radio services should be available to all Australians regardless of where they live

That given the promise of new and innovative services offered by the technology, the development of new services is encouraged

That the government will continue to work with the community radio sector in the development of digital radio and is committed to the inclusion of community broadcasters in the digital environment.

The MCA noted also the absence in these principles of an explicit commitment to ensuring that digital radio services uphold the objective of the Broadcasting Services Act of "developing and reflecting a sense of Australian identity, character and cultural diversity" and urged that such a commitment be incorporated into the consideration of digital radio services.

The MCA's submission was prepared by its Radio Committee and submitted in April 2005.

Read the submission