John Hartigan calls for media laws update

Media executives continue to put pressure on the federal government to review the media ownership rules and regulations.

In Tamworth yesterday to celebrate PRIME7’s 50th anniversary, Prime Media Group chairman John Hartigan has made a public appeal to all members of parliament to fight for regional Australia’s voice.

“Regional media and the capacity for regional Australians to participate in the national debate is under threat”, Hartigan told 100 guests, while addressing a corporate function held at the Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music last night.

“The greatest challenge that regional broadcasters face is the rapidly evolving media landscape. We are now living in the era of the internet, high speed broadband, catch up TV services and online streaming, just to name a few. All this brings significant competition to our broadcasting services.

“We welcome competition, but meeting this competition is challenging when regional broadcasters remain shackled by antiquated and anomalous regulations in what is now essentially a borderless media environment”, said Hartigan.