Broadcasting Services Amendment (Register of Media Interests) Bill 2026
Senator ANTIC (South Australia) (16:18): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted.
Senator ANTIC: I table an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— A key element of any healthy, prosperous, and flourishing democracy is the free expression of opinions and ideas, along with the ability and freedom of citizens to make informed decisions about the issues that affect their lives and their nation.
Part of the premise of parliamentary democracy is that different perspectives are brought to the table to be debated and scrutinised in the hope that something approaching a reasonable consensus, one that serves the good of the Australian public in all its variety of backgrounds and perspectives, may ultimately be reached. This process of contesting ideas, examining evidence, and holding arguments up to scrutiny is not merely a theoretical principle; it is a practical safeguard against the concentration of power and against the erosion of public trust in our institutions.
When citizens are confident that debates are open, that information is accessible, and that competing viewpoints can be aired freely, the foundations of democratic legitimacy are strengthened. A crucial aspect of this endeavour is the role of the mainstream media which, despite the rise of social media and more independent online news sources, many Australians still rely on to keep up to date on the various political, social, and cultural issues which impact us on a daily basis.
The media plays an indispensable role in informing the public, scrutinising those in positions of power, and facilitating the exchange of ideas that underpins democratic life. For many Australians, particularly those who are not immersed in political debate or policy detail, the information presented through major media outlets forms the basis upon which they develop their understanding of national issues.
For this process to be healthy, and to remain in accordance with the spirit of democracy, it is necessary for the interests of these media outlets, whose principal purpose is to disseminate information and news (undoubtedly shaping public opinion in the process) as well as those who work within them, to be transparent to the public, so that the public may readily evaluate the integrity of the information they are presented.
Transparency does not restrict speech, nor does it interfere with editorial independence. Rather, it allows Australians to assess information with greater clarity by understanding the context in which it is produced. That is why we already have a system of applying this scrutiny to our members of parliament.
When a member is sworn in, they must declare their interests so that they may be made available to the voting public. This principle recognises that those entrusted with positions of influence should also accept a degree of openness about the interests they hold. Transparency in this respect is not punitive; it is a recognition of the responsibilities that accompany public trust.
Such disclosures, even where it may create an implication of bias, does not amount to improper conduct, but it is information that citizens are entitled to know when evaluating the decisions and positions taken by that individual. Members of parliament are not prevented from having such interests, of course, but given the responsibility of their position, it is considered fair that they disclose them.
I think that most people would agree that this is fair and important for our democracy. It therefore seems inconsistent to not apply the same degree of scrutiny to our larger media organisations, which clearly play a vital role in shaping public opinion through their reporting. If financial interests exist which might give rise to bias, Australians should have the opportunity to understand this and make their own determinations.
What this Bill seeks to do is ensure that the relevant information is available to Australians in a clear and easily accessible manner so that people can make their own decisions as to the information presented to them in the media. Hence this Bill proposes that a basic framework, similar to that which is applied to politicians, be created for these larger media entities.
This Bill would amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to establish a simple Register of Media Interests, to be published by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) on its website, to promote confidence in the integrity and independence of media organisations operating in Australia. The objective here is not to regulate content or dictate editorial positions, but rather to reinforce public confidence in the transparency of the institutions that play such an influential role in shaping public discourse.
In my view, this would go a long way toward restoring the trust that has been lost in our institutions in light of the pandemic period and the rise of social media, both of which have significantly altered the way Australians consume and interpret information. Many Australians today feel uncertain about which sources they can rely upon and whether the information presented to them is being influenced by undisclosed interests.
By providing a transparent and publicly accessible register, we can take a meaningful step toward addressing that concern. As noted, ACMA would be responsible for maintaining the Register on its website. Broadly speaking, licensees under the Broadcasting Services Act would be required to disclose their interests to ACMA which could contribute to media bias or conflicts of interest.
This would include interests held by executives, directors, journalists, and other key members of the organisations whose roles place them in positions where their professional decisions may influence the presentation or framing of news and commentary. The intention is not to impose unnecessary administrative burdens, but rather to establish a straightforward and transparent mechanism through which relevant interests can be disclosed and made publicly available.
Under the Act, relevant media entities include: .a) The holder of a license under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 .b) Regulated print media .c) The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) .d) The Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) When the interest is financial in nature, the monetary value must exceed $300 for it to require disclosure. Examples of this might include gifts, sponsored travel or hospitality, and shareholdings in private or public companies.
Such thresholds ensure that trivial or insignificant matters do not overwhelm the system, while still capturing interests that could reasonably be perceived as influencing professional judgement. Civil penalties apply for failure to disclose relevant interests, as outlined in the Bill, thereby ensuring that the system has the necessary integrity and credibility to function effectively.
For many years we have heard calls for stronger safeguards against misinformation, greater institutional accountability, and improved transparency across our public life. This proposal offers a practical opportunity to demonstrate that those commitments extend beyond rhetoric and into tangible policy. This is an opportunity to strengthen Australian democracy in a bipartisan manner and act in the interests of everyday Australians by using the levers of government available to us.
Ultimately, the purpose of this Bill is not to privilege one viewpoint over another, nor to restrict the independence of journalists and media organisations. Rather, it is to ensure that Australians are better equipped with the information they need to evaluate the sources of the news they consume. By creating a transparent and accessible Register of Media Interests, we would empower Australians to make informed judgements about the information presented to them and to engage more confidently with the national conversation.
In doing so, we reinforce the principle that transparency and accountability are not burdens on democracy, but essential pillars of it. This reform will equip Australians to easily make informed decisions about the news media they choose to engage with, just as they can do with politicians. Senator ANTIC: I seek leave to continue my remarks later.
Leave granted; debate adjourned.