The Government has today released the Report of the Productivity Commission inquiry

into Broadcasting.

The Government welcomes the Report, which provides an informative and rigorous

discussion of key issues in broadcasting, in particular the relevance of current

broadcasting legislation in a converging media environment. It contains wide-ranging

recommendations – covering the conversion to digital

television, management of the broadcasting spectrum, ownership and control rules,

structural diversity in broadcasting, Australian content (including advertising) and the

broadcasting of sport.

The Government is releasing the report now in recognition of the considerable public

interest in these issues. The Government will respond to the Commission’s

recommendations in due course.

Copies of the Report are available from Government Info Shops, or may be downloaded

from the Productivity Commission website at www.pc.gov.au.

Canberra

11 April 2000