Federal ministers Tony Burke and Michelle Rowland have decried the lack of investment in local programming, particularly children's, among commercial broadcasters following the release of ACMA data.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher has defended the government's proposed Streaming Services Reporting and Investment Scheme amid industry criticism, telling IF it is "an effective model" to increase Australian content being commissioned by the streaming services.
SPA has again taken the Federal Government to task for its proposed Streaming Services Reporting and Investment Scheme, labelling the next steps in the media reform agenda as "weak" and "lacking in a vision or plan".
The Federal Government has committed $4.2 billion in funding for the public broadcasters over the next three years, while concurrently outlining the next steps in its media reform agenda.
Both SPA and the ADG have identified the potential for a "production void" if there is a prolonged delay between the government's relaxation of local content quotas for commercial free-to-air broadcasters and any imposition of obligations on streamers.
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has warned that Free TV Australia's proposed voluntary points system for Australian content would have disastrous consequences for the screen sector.
Breaking ranks with Screen Producers Australia, the Australian Directors' Guild opposes two of SPA's key policy proposals as well as making the case to rename the Producer Offset as the Creative Offset.
"Our research examines the role of television storytelling, especially the importance of local television. So it’s with great surprise we find ourselves advocating for the elimination of Australian content quotas on commercial free-to-air broadcasters," write Amanda Lotz and Anna Potter.