Proposed media ownership changes are out of step with world experience

Such an index could prove a more analytical approach to dealing with issues of media concentration and ownership in Australia than an arbitrary "five voices" rule, taking into account the special circumstances of each market.

In the United States, the diversity test sits alongside a market competition test. In Australia, the ACCC should be expected to look at each segment of media and also how they interact across segments (e.g. between terrestrial and pay television) in making assessments about market power.

Public and community broadcasting is vitally important to the diversity of viewpoints, and the government needs to revisit its refusal to reconsider base funding for the ABC, SBS and community broadcasting, especially in regional programming.

The importance of promoting fairness and accuracy in reporting and defending journalistic independence through appropriate legislative safeguards and complaints mechanisms also needs to be enhanced.

The Democrats want to see an Australian media sector that encourages informed, diverse debates on issues of key public concern. The government's proposed media ownership bill falls well short of this ideal, and falls well short of protecting and enhancing diversity even by the standards of proposed new British and American standards.

Recent developments in media laws in the UK and the USA show this government's policy is already well and truly dated. With the government refusing to properly address the issue of effectively promoting diversity of viewpoint in media, the bill deserves to fail in the Senate this week. It will be a pity if that is the end of the debate about how best to ensure diversity of viewpoints in Australian media.