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Commercial Radio Australia Ltd

Predecessor	Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters
Formation	1930
Type	industry group
Purpose	To represent the rights and interests of commercial radio stations in Australia.
Headquarters	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Website	commercialradio.com.au radioitsalovething.com.au

Upon the introduction of public broadcasting in Australia, the control of wireless broadcasting was prescribed to the Department of the Postmaster-General through the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905. This was because broadcasting was perceived as an extension of an existing means of communication — a domain conventionally controlled by the Post Office.

The organisation continued to provide industry representation and advice into the 1930s, and aimed for industry self-regulation. In 1936, it produced the industry's Code of Ethics, and in 1938 began accrediting advertising agents federally.

History

The Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (FARB) was established in 1930 to preserve the rights and interests of licensed broadcasting stations, providing representation on copyright and royalty payments (Cole, 1966). Throughout the 1930s, their power was consolidated by the increasing popularity of commercial radio — driven by increased demand for affordable home entertainment during the Great Depression.

During the late 1930s and early 1940s, FARB exercised a greater say in regulatory matters through the implementation of an informal committee (Griffen-Foley, 2009). Subsequently, FARB issued its own Standards of Broadcasting Practice in 1946, regulating children’s programs, and Sunday and medical advertising (Griffen-Foley, 2009). FARB played an important role in major decisions concerning the commercial radio sector, maintaining a position of self-regulation; opposing intrusion by the government and industry bodies such as the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).

In response to widespread criticism of talkback radio in 1971 (RadioInfo, 2006), FARB initiated a government relations committee to enhance public and political relations (Griffen-Foley, 2009). In 1973, FARB created the Fairness Code for Broadcasters (RadioInfo, 2006) which codified self-regulation in the commercial radio sector. This was consolidated and renamed in 1993 as the FARB Commercial Radio Codes of Practice and Guidelines,  yet still only applied to FARB members (Australian Government, 1999). The standards underwent further revision in 1999, and were extended to apply to all commercial radio licensees (Australian Government, 1999).

FARB changed to its current name ‘Commercial Radio Australia’ in 2002. It currently comprises of 260 members, representing 99 per cent of Australian commercial radio licensees (Commercial Radio Australia, 2018).

Codes of Practice and Standards

The development and management of various codes of practice and standards is a central role of Commercial Radio Australia (CRA). Commercial broadcast in Australia is regulated by the Commercial Radio Code of Practice, which is administered and reviewed by the CRA , in accordance with Part 9 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (Cth).

Answers to Module 7 Questions

A lagoon located in the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia

1. This media is a photograph of a lagoon located in the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. It was taken on a holiday there in January 2020.
2. This photograph was taken by me, and is therefore my own work.
3. The file format is .JPG
4. License chosen is: 'Public domain license' (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
5. Categories added: New Caledonia, Natural Scenery, Lagoon
6. The file description is: "This photograph depicts a lagoon located in the Isle of Pines in New Caledonia. It was taken in January 2020."

Union Beach, New Jersey

On October 28, 2012, at 4:00pm, the mayor issued a mandatory evacuation for the borough was ordered by the mayor in preparation for Hurricane Sandy. When the hurricane arrived, approximately one third of the borough's 6,200 residents had left.

By the morning of October 29, of the estimated 2,143 households in the borough, approximately 200 homes and businesses were damaged, 400 took on more than 6 feet (1.8 m) of water, and 62 were "completely missing". An additional 100 had shifted off foundations and were no longer habitable. The borough's police department initially had to borrow several police cruisers from other municipalities such as Wilmington, NC and Clay County, Florida. Most cars were destroyed when flooding reached police headquarters. Former residents from around the country mobilized and organized relief efforts: sending relief supplies, including advising and assisting public servants in acquiring replacements of lost emergency vehicles. In total, the borough lost 14 police cars, three ambulances and four fire trucks. Madison Township and Wanaque each gave repurposed police cruisers decaled with Union Beach logos, as well as other relief. Some local agencies sold old police cruisers for one dollar each or donated police cars, and donations of two cars each came from North Carolina and Florida. EMS and fire trucks were also donated from near and far.

Practicing Citations

Collingwood’s journal article clarifies the regulatory framework surrounding the commercial radio sector in Australia, which will be particularly useful for the section titled “Regulation of Commercial Radio in Australia”.

This government webpage clearly explains the Australian commercial radio system, particularly with regards to licenses, content, complaints and review.

In this book chapter, Griffen-Foley provides insight into the history and regulation of the Australian radio industry, as well as the role and effectiveness of CRA in administering the codes of practice and standards to the commercial radio sector.

This academic report, published by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), focuses on the codes of practice and strategies for consumer and citizen engagement across the Australian communications sector, including within the CRA.

This webpage from AdNews provides an overview of the Siren Awards for radio advertising run annually by the CRA.

History

The Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters (FARB) was initially established in 1930 as an industry association to represent the rights and interests of licensed commercial broadcasting stations The organisation aimed to provide representation on copyright and royalty payments, as well as the relationship between national and commercial radio services. In so doing, they exerted significant power over individual stations, and acted as a key spokesman for the Australian commercial radio industry.

During the late 1930s and early 1940s, FARB exercised a greater say in regulatory matters through the implementation of an informal committee . Subsequently, FARB issued its own Standards of Broadcasting Practice in 1946, regulating children’s programs, and Sunday and medical advertising . FARB played an important role in major decisions concerning the commercial radio sector, maintaining a position of self-regulation; opposing intrusion by the government and industry bodies such as the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).

In response to widespread criticism of talkback radio in 1971 (RadioInfo, 2006), FARB initiated a government relations committee to enhance public and political relations (Griffen-Foley, 2009, p. 71). In 1973, FARB created the Fairness Code for Broadcasters, (RadioInfo, 2006) which codified self-regulation in the commercial radio sector. This was consolidated and renamed in 1993 as the FARB Commercial Radio Codes of Practice and Guidelines,  yet still only applied to FARB members . The standards underwent further revision in 1999, and were extended to apply to all commercial radio licensees.

FARB changed to its current name ‘Commercial Radio Australia’ in 2002 . It currently comprises of 260 members, representing 99 per cent of Australian commercial radio licensees.  The current Chief Executive Officer is Joan Warner and Chairman is Grant Blackley .

Regulation of Commercial Radio in Australia

1920s-1930s: Introduction of Public Broadcasting and the Bifurcated System

Upon the introduction of public broadcasting in Australia in 1919 , the Postmaster-General’s Department controlled wireless broadcasting in accordance with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1905 (Cole, 1966, p.12). This was because broadcasting was initially perceived as an extension of an existing means of communication, which was traditionally controlled by the Post Office (Cole, 1966, p.18). Control was temporarily transferred to the Naval Department within the Department of Defence during World War I.  

In 1923, the government introduced a ‘sealed set system’, where stations could be licensed to broadcast and then sell sets and subscriptions to ‘listeners-in’ (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.7). This allowed radio to become publicly available, though listeners had to pay an additional government licence fee . The scheme proved unpopular amongst listeners, as only four applications were processed under the system, and more than 1400 listeners failed to pay their license fees (Cole, 1966, p.16).

In response, the government instituted an ‘open’ bifurcated broadcasting system in 1924 (Parliament of Australia, 2020) — comprising of ‘A’ and ‘B’ class stations which were licensed differently. A-class stations maintained their revenue from listener’s licenses, whereas B-Class stations generated their own revenue through advertisements and other paid publicity (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.2). All A-class stations were controlled by the Postmaster-General’s Department, with program operations contracted to private companies, until their acquisition by the Australian Broadcasting Company in 1929 (Parliament of Australia, 2020). The National Service was designed as a “completely coordinated public utility” (Cole, 1966, p.21), and aimed to maximise audience reach by ensuring that programmes could be heard by at least 90 per cent of the Commonwealth (Cole, 1966, p.20). Comparatively, B-Class stations were a conglomeration of individually operated units and administered by private enterprise (Cole, 1966, p.21). In the early 1930s, the quantity and popularity of Australian commercial radio stations significantly increased, fuelled by increased demand for cheap and accessible home entertainment during the Great Depression (Museums Victoria, 2020). All stations in both A and B-Class categories were to be licensed for five years (Griffen-Foley, 2009, p.61). The system was finalised in 1932; comprised of the national broadcaster (ABC) with 12 stations and the commercial sector with 43 stations (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.2).

1940s-50s: Independent Boards and Introduction of Television

In 1941, a ‘Joint Committee on Wireless Broadcasting’ was selected to conduct a review of broadcasting, particularly regarding amendments to the Australian Broadcasting Commission Act 1932 (Cth) — concerning the control of the ABC and appointment of commissioners (Griffen-Foley, 2009, p.38).  The following year, the Committee made recommendations to the government  for the nationalisation for commercial radio (Jolly, 2020). The separation between Class A and B stations was preserved by the Broadcasting Bill of 1948 (Cole, 1966, p.32). That same year, the Federation established an independent Australian Broadcasting Control Board, which transferred all Post Office powers to the Federal Government (Armstrong, 2014). The Board was responsible for supervising broadcasting in an attempt to achieve a “reasonable measure of correlation” (Cole, 1966, p.32) between the two broadcasting services. This was achieved through mandating and reviewing the provision of services, operations and equipment to uphold public interest (Cole, 1966, p.33). The Board also acted to prevent a Government monopoly; ensuring the preservation of the bifurcated national and commercial radio system. The introduction of television in 1956 consolidated the Board’s position; as additional officers were assigned and assumed control of the program and administrative functions of radio (Cole, 1966, p.102). Their power was further cemented and protected by the Broadcasting and Television Bill 1958, which extensively addressed matters pertaining to radio and television.

1960-80s: Introduction of Public Broadcasting and FM Radio

In 1976, the Broadcasting and Television Act 1956 was amended by the Whitlam Government to change the Australian Broadcasting Control Board to the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal; allowing for the introduction of FM radio and public broadcasting (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.6). Initially, commercial radio stations were prohibited from accessing FM, with its first use being for public broadcasting — as ABC-FM, now known as ABC Classic, was established the same year (Jolly, 2014, p.16). In 1980, the Federal Government offered a limited number of FM licences to new players within the commercial radio industry, allowing the selected AM stations to convert to FM (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.5).

1990s-2000s: Increased Deregulation and Industry Self-Regulation

Throughout the 1990s, Australian radio became increasingly deregulated (Jolly, 2007). This was initiated by the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, which relaxed many standards for commercial radio, including the Australian music broadcasting quota (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.6). This was replaced by industry generated self-regulation codes and the revision of broadcasting licenses (Australian Law Reform Commission, 2011, p.190). This was accompanied by the introduction of the Australian Broadcasting Authority to administer the self-regulation of the Australian radio industry; assuming the planning and regulation roles of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (Radio Adelaide, n.d., p.5). This was amalgamated with the Australian Communications Authority on 1 July 2005 to form the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) (O’Neil, 2005, p.14).