Communications Update March 2007 - Industry Developments

ACMA Uses Its New Enforcement Powers To Accept Enforceable Undertakings

On 13 February 2007, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) accepted several enforceable undertakings from parties who are recapitalising media assets held by Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd and Seven Network Ltd. This was possible as a result of ACMA’s new enforcement powers under the Communications Legislation Amendment (Enforcement Powers) Act 2006.

Both sets of enforceable undertakings provide that the foreign entities involved will not breach the current prohibitions on foreign control of commercial television licences. The enforceable undertakings replace deeds that the parties agreed with ACMA, in December 2006.