Apsattv
10-06-2008, 10:26 PM
From http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4577763a28.html
National will wait to see what comes out of the Government's sweeping review of broadcasting regulation before setting out its own position on any possible industry reforms, says the party's broadcasting spokesman, Jonathan Coleman.
Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard and Communications Minister David Cunliffe are due to report back to Cabinet by the end of July on a range of options canvassed by the Culture and Heritage Ministry.
These include creating a single regulator to oversee the broadcasting and telecommunications industries and the introduction of tough new controls on Sky TV.
The Government has committed to carrying out a further round of consultations with the industry on any proposed reforms.
Dr Coleman says he hopes the review can be wrapped up before the election.
"I would be hoping the Government would get through this work to the timetable they have set themselves, but it has slipped behind."
"Our greatest fear would be setting up a huge bureaucracy along the lines of [Britain's] Ofcom model, which becomes a monolithic institution."
A spokesman for Mr Mallard said he would not comment on any issues raised by the 80 submissions made to ministry while the review was in train.
National will wait to see what comes out of the Government's sweeping review of broadcasting regulation before setting out its own position on any possible industry reforms, says the party's broadcasting spokesman, Jonathan Coleman.
Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard and Communications Minister David Cunliffe are due to report back to Cabinet by the end of July on a range of options canvassed by the Culture and Heritage Ministry.
These include creating a single regulator to oversee the broadcasting and telecommunications industries and the introduction of tough new controls on Sky TV.
The Government has committed to carrying out a further round of consultations with the industry on any proposed reforms.
Dr Coleman says he hopes the review can be wrapped up before the election.
"I would be hoping the Government would get through this work to the timetable they have set themselves, but it has slipped behind."
"Our greatest fear would be setting up a huge bureaucracy along the lines of [Britain's] Ofcom model, which becomes a monolithic institution."
A spokesman for Mr Mallard said he would not comment on any issues raised by the 80 submissions made to ministry while the review was in train.