Article by Mark Crean, Louise Capon, Alan Chalmers
The Federal Government has proposed major changes to the foreign and cross-media ownership rules under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA).
The Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2002 (Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives on 21 March 2002. Following a review of the Bill by the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Legislation Committee, the Bill was passed by the House on 15 October 2002 with a number of Government amendments and was introduced into the Senate on 23 October where debate was adjourned.
The Government has been negotiating with the minor parties and independent senators on possible amendments to the Bill in an endeavour to secure its passage. In announcing that the Bill is to be brought on for debate in the Senate in the week beginning 23 June 2003, the Government has indicated that it will move further amendments to the Bill as a
