The ACMA has registered a new community radio broadcasting code of practice, establishing an updated set of rules about what can and can’t be played on community radio.
The code was developed by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). It is the first broadcasting industry code to be registered since the ACMA asked all industry bodies to review their codes in 2022.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin has welcomed the new code and its strengthened community safeguards.
“The new community radio code is the result of substantial work undertaken by CBAA over several years. The ACMA acknowledges the highly collaborative way the review was undertaken and the broader community broadcasting sector’s commitment to the development of the code.
“We are particularly pleased to see stronger protections around news content on community radio, including requirements for impartiality and for reporters to take special care where facts may be contested and not settled,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
Under the new code community radio broadcasters are also committed to align their programming decisions with contemporary community standards, prioritise First Nations voices when reporting on or discussing First Nations issues, and strengthen complaints-handling processes.
The ACMA expects all broadcasters to regularly update their rules to reflect changing broadcasting practices and contemporary audience expectations. This includes providing safeguards to those accessing their content in new ways.
“We remain of the view that it is high time that the broadcasting industry voluntarily extend their rules to cover all TV- and radio-like content they make available online. This would ensure audiences benefit from the same safeguards, regardless of how they access the content,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
The new community radio broadcasting code will commence on 1 July 2025. The existing code will remain active until that time.
The new community radio code is available at: https://www.acma.gov.au/industry-codes-practice
Further information about the code review process is available on the CBAA website.