In November 2011, the ACMA completed its review of the three commercial radio standards that were introduced after the Commercial Radio Inquiry in 2000.
The review considered the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory arrangements created under the 2000 standards, including the extent to which they achieved the objects and regulatory policy of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.
The ACMA's report titled Review of the Commercial Radio Standards, released on 14 November 2011, set out the regulatory reforms the ACMA decided upon to ensure that regulation of commercial radio continues to deliver appropriate and contemporary community safeguards.
The report is available in Word (352 kb) and PDF (583 kb) formats.
On the basis of the findings from the review, the ACMA decided to maintain advertising and disclosure standards with some important changes and clarifications – and to revoke the compliance standard.
The revised standards and compliance standard revocation began on 1 May 2012. Copies of the revised standards and compliance standard revocation are available in PDF format below:
- Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Advertising) Standard 2012;
- Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Current Affairs Disclosure) Standard 2012;
- Broadcasting Services (Commercial Radio Compliance Program) Standard Revocation 2012.
Background
2008
The ACMA announced the review into the commercial radio standards in December 2008. The ACMA then undertook a comprehensive program of research in 2009 directed toward establishing an evidence base for the review.
2010
Issues paper
In February 2010, the ACMA released an issues paper and four related research reports for comment. These may be viewed by clicking on the links below.
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Word |
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Review of the commercial radio standards: Issues Paper |
755 kb | 617 kb |
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Community Attitudes to Radio Content |
972 kb | 1.7 mb |
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Listener Attitudes to Advertising, Sponsorship and Influence on Commercial Radio |
918 kb | 1.7 mb |
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International Regulation of Advertising, Sponsorship and Commercial Disclosure for Commercial Radio Broadcasting |
843 kb | 1.3 mb |
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Industry Compliance with the Compliance Program Standard |
724 kb | 940 kb |
During the issues paper consultation period the ACMA held a public forum and series of roundtables with a range of experts from industry and the community. Key issues in the review were discussed, including the need for regulation, the scope of any regulation and how any regulation should be put into operation.
Submissions - Issues paper
The submission period on the issues paper closed on Friday 14 May 2010. Copies of submissions to the issues paper are available below in PDF format.
Options paper
In March 2011 the ACMA released an options paper for comment which included a number of findings arising from the ACMA's review of the standards and set out proposed options for reform of each of the standards based on those findings. At this time the ACMA also released economics research and a literature review. The options paper and these documents can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
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Word |
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Review of the commercial radio standards: Options Paper |
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Reform of the Commercial Radio Standards: a review of the expected economic costs |
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N/A |
Submissions - Options paper
The submission period on the options paper closed on Friday 13 May 2011 (with the ACMA granting extensions to industry submitters). Copies of submissions to the options paper are available below in PDF format.
2011
Draft standards
On 25 November 2011, the ACMA sought public comment on its proposed revisions to the advertising and disclosure program standards. The ACMA also consulted on the draft of the legislative instrument to revoke the 2000 compliance program standard.
The submission period on the draft standards and revocation closed on Friday 16 December 2011 (with the ACMA granting extensions to industry submitters).
