Media access review

The Department is currently undertaking an investigation into access to electronic media for the hearing and vision impaired. This review is occurring in stages and involves significant public consultation.

Discussion paper

The 'Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision Impaired' discussion paper released in April 2008 identified existing arrangements for access by people with a hearing and or vision impairment to electronic media. It examined the availability of captioning and audio description for free-to-air television, subscription television and film. It also outlined arrangements in some overseas jurisdictions, and invited comments on a number of key issues.

The discussion paper is available in a range of formats, including audio files. Public consultation on the paper closed in June 2008.

Discussion report

In November 2009 the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, released for discussion the report 'Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision Impaired: Approaches for Consideration'. It outlined possible approaches the Australian Government is considering to improve audio description and caption levels in Australia on free-to-air and subscription television, film in cinemas, DVDs and audio visual content on the internet.

The report is available in a range of formats, including audio files. The submissions process closed in January 2010.

Contact information

If you require any information about the Media Access Review, please email mediaaccessreview@dbcde.gov.au or write to:

Manager
Broadcasting Content Policy Section
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2601

 
Document ID: 83411 | Last modified: 18 August 2010, 4:33pm