The Age reports today that Federal MPs, especially those on the policy committee advising the Communications Minister, Senator Richard Alston, are being lobbied by media and communications companies in the leadup to a Cabinet decision about which digital television policy model should be adopted.
Paul Neville, the chairman of the Communications Committee, is quoted as saying “this is the most intense lobbying campaign of politicians I have ever seen since I have been a Member of Parliament.”
Current government policy aims for all free-to-air broadcasters to commence digital broadcasting in metropolitan areas on 1 January 2001. The Age says there is concern that the Cabinet is committed to a model that will put the new generation of television sets beyond the means of most consumers.
About Malcolm Farnsworth