The Mobile Effect On Media Rules

Advances in mobile media (along with the internet) are providing more media options for consumers, leading to questions about the need for countries to regulate the media through such things as cross-ownership laws, where organizations are restricted to a specific media or region. The Australian government has just relaxed its media laws on cross-ownership (expected to set of some frenzied activity in M&A), partly as a result of mobile content. “In addition, competing platforms such as subscription TV, the Internet and mobile content platforms are providing additional and diverse services to viewers.” However it seems like new media broadcasters will still need to acquire licenses: “New media players would be able to bid for two new digital licences to deliver services such as pay-TV or video to next-generation mobile phones”. Which means that big media outlets are the most likely to launch the new services…which kind of eliminates the diversity argument.
Far more likely to reduce the impact of consolidation of media ownership is the current trend towards large social networks, social media and citizen journalism.

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