Media access review
The department completed an investigation into access to electronic media for the hearing and vision-impaired in December 2010.
The review examined current regulations for access by people with a hearing and or vision impairment to electronic media, including captioning and audio description availability on free-to-air television, subscription television and film. The review also considered how to improve access to electronic media for people with a hearing and or vision impairment. The review occurred in three stages and involved significant public and stakeholder consultation.
Final report
On 3 December 2010, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy tabled the Media Access Review final report 'Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision-Impaired‘. The final report contains 22 recommendations to improve audio description and caption levels in Australia on free-to-air and subscription television, film in cinemas, DVDs and audiovisual content on the internet.
The Media Access Review final report is available in PDF, RTF, audio and braille formats.
Media Access Review final report (Amended) (PDF, 245 KB)
Media Access Review final report (Amended) (RTF, 3 MB)
To obtain a braille copy or audio file of the final report 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
Note: the final report has been amended to address a typographical error on page 23 which incorrectly stated that the proposed audio description trial on ABC1 would involve 14 hours per day during prime time, rather than the intended 14 hours per week.
Government response to final report
On 3 December 2010, the Minister released the Australian Government’s response to the Media Access Review final report 'Access to Electronic Media for the Hearing and Vision-Impaired’.
The government intends to ensure that meaningful improvements to levels of media access for people with hearing and vision impairment are achievable, while ensuring that actions taken are practical for broadcasters and content producers.
The government will move to immediately implement the report’s recommendations, and call on industry and disability group stakeholders to similarly take action to implement recommendations that affect them.
The government will introduce legislation in 2011 to:
- provide regulatory certainty by consolidating captioning requirements into Broadcasting Services Act 1992
- raise captioning targets to provide a better outcome for people with disability
- introduce requirements for caption quality.
The government will also commission the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to conduct a technical trial of audio description in the second half of 2011, subject to funding approval.
A further review of captioning and audio description on electronic media in 2013 would also consider the effectiveness of action agreed in 2010 in light of transformational communication initiatives such as the introduction of the National Broadband Network and the switch to digital television.
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.
- Media access review discussion report
- Discussion report submissions—PDF files
- Discussion report submissions—RTF files
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.
- Media access review discussion paper
- Discussion paper submissions—PDF files
- Discussion paper submissions—RTF files
Contact information
For further 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
