Legislation: Community broadcasting regulations tightened

Comment is sought by 17 April on proposed amendments to the 2016 regulations prescribing the standards and conditions applicable when operating an electronic communications, electronic communications network or broadcasting licence – referred to as a ‘class licence’ in the 2005 Electronic Communications Act. Once in force, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch, the amendments will affect commercial and community low-power sound broadcasting services, for which definitions are mooted. These services apparently include sound broadcasting in shopping malls, at ‘special events’ and between places of worship and old age homes.

Among other things, it is proposed that commercial and community low-power sound broadcasting services should be prohibited from providing news and current affairs programming – and that no foreign person or entity should ‘directly or indirectly exercise control over a low power sound broadcasting service licensee’. Other provisions in the draft amendments seek to limit the area covered by community sound and television broadcasting service licensees, confining them to their respective coverage areas when sourcing advertising and sponsorship.