International Journal of Communications Law & Policy

'SORTING OUT THE BITS' - DIGITAL TELEVISION AND DATACASTING IN AUSTRALIA
A Study in Policy and Regulatory Development
By Jane Forster and Caroline Lovell

Download the Paper in PDF Format: IJCLP Web-Doc 8-6-2001

Abstract

The paper outlines the extraordinarily complex process undertaken in Australia over the past two years to develop arrangements for conversion from analog to digital television. The process involved almost a complete revision of what broadcasting means in Australia and resulted in regulatory arrangements and concepts unique to Australia. The paper focuses in particular on the Australian concept of "datacasting" and the very limited form which will be permitted under the new arrangements and also on the government's decision not to treat webcasting as broadcasting for the purpose of the Australian legislation.
Although it remains to be seen whether the arrangements will be successful, or prove to be unworkable because they are so complex, the authors' prediction is that the latter will occur. It is also possible that some of the conceptual distinctions imposed by the new arrangements will cease to be meaningful once a moratorium against the issuing of any new commercial television broadcasting licences ends after 31 December 2006.

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