Notice Type
Departmental
Statement of Government Policy and Directions to the Secretary of Commerce To the Secretary of Commerce Pursuant to section 112 of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 (``the Act''), and pursuant to the policies of the Government communicated to you by me in the Statement of Government Policies and Directions to the Secretary of Commerce dated 31 October 1995 and published in the Gazette of 9 November 1995 at page 4316, I hereby amend my directions to you set out in that notice by revoking paragraph 1 (c) of those directions and substituting the following paragraph: (c) The implementation of new television broadcasting services, undertaken otherwise than for profit, where transmissions of such services are licensed for not more than 12 months. Such licences may be renewed for subsequent periods not exceeding 12 months, until a record of management rights is recorded under the Act in respect of the frequency to which the licence relates. In considering applications for such licences you shall have regard to the following matters: (i) The extent to which the proposal will increase the diversity of programme choice for viewers: (ii) The extent to which the proposal can cater for non-commercial services not being provided on a national level. These may include Parliamentary broadcasts, educational services such as foreign language programming, religious programming, coverage of minority sports, and New Zealand documentaries and short films: (iii) The extent to which the proposal provides access to local and regional programme makers: (iv) The extent of geographic coverage possible for non-commercial services, in view of the capacity of the radio spectrum reserved for this purpose: (v) The extent to which time is made available for non-commercial uses, including in prime time: (vi) The extent to which the proposal can demonstrate that its overall objective is ``not for profit'': (vii) The likelihood that the proposal will be implemented if the application is approved: (viii) The extent to which the proposal contains sufficient accountability mechanisms to ensure that it delivers on its undertakings to provide services. Arrangements to ensure sufficient accountability in a proposal may include: A Mechanisms for equitable allocation of air time among all interested users: B Procedures for resolving disputes over allocation of time to users: C Systems for ensuring efficient management of services: D Provision of satisfactory services to the full variety of audience to be catered for: E Mechanisms for ensuring compliance by all users of the frequency with broadcasting standards: (ix) Any potential future public benefit from providing for the transition of services to digital transmission: (v) Any other benefits the Secretary of Commerce considers the proposal may offer. Dated at Wellington this 5th day of June 1996. MAURICE WILLIAMSON, Minister of Communications.
Publication Date
13 Jun 1996

Notice Number

1996-go3772

Page Number

1524