Communications among people is a defining characteristic of being human; being able to communicate as a person or group as one chooses with one's neighbours, friends, family, comrades and work- colleagues, across often vast distance is a right of all.
Communications encompasses the potential: to send a letter to a distant friend; pick up a phone and talk to a lover or family member; use the Internet to find out information, for entertainment and cultural interest; watch TV and listen to the radio.
Communications is essential to the functioning of societies, and to the achievement of equal democratic and socialist societies. Yet at present great inequalities exist in access to communications. In Australia, a substantial number of people cannot afford to have a telephone in their home, yet would be benefit from being able to communicate with employers, family, friends and social and political networks. At the same time, other people enjoy several telephones (at home and mobiles), facsimile. computers, pay television and so on. In most countries of the world, telephones and television are still a luxury item, and a village or poor suburb may still lack a pay phone and may have very poor postal services.
And in addition trends in communications see existing and new media being used to increase not address inequality. Capitalism increasingly relies on Communications for economic restructuring under globalization - computer and telecommunication networks make the increased flow of capital inside and across nation boundaries more possible to create new markets as seen by the introduction of pay television and new electronic consumer goods - and for ideological ,and hegemonic purposes, securing the consent of people in order that they are disempowered and isolated and less willing to seek political and social change. Much of the recent change in communications also is a tool to cut workers conditions and employment, and thus redistribute wealth to the owners and rich shareholders of communications enterprises.
There are two great myths of communications under capitalism that we seek to demolish. Firstly. that neo-liberalism - greater competition and private ownership - is the panacea for making communications technologies more tenable.
Secondly, that new media such as the Internet will solve current inequalities in communications and put an end to scarcity in communications, bringing a (virtual) shopping basket of lifestyle choices to all. This is the mantra of technological determinists and masks the fact that a process of restructuring is occurring in communication-. with greater opportunities, but great threats also. The threats are symbolised in the rush of the world's wealthiest people (many already communications barons), to control cultural resources (in the form of television programming, music and film) and also the means of their distribution (in the form of software, the Internet and pay television networks).
We seek to recognise that communications media are indeed "converging". With digital technologies we see film, video, radio, the telephone, the computer, the facsimile and the post as crossing over in new and unexpected configurations. This brings with it rich possibilities for progressive movements to bring radical social change. However, we also believe that it is important to carefully, scrutinise these changes in communications, to preserve and re-work what is good in our existing media and turn the new media to the service of the people.
The Progressive Labour Party believes that all Australians should have access to a diverse range of quality information and cultural material in now traditional communications media such as print, radio and television as well as emerging media such as the Internet. For this to occur, there must be a diverse range of communications media available throughout Australia (regardless of wealth) to all communities, and appropriate to their needs. We recognise that there is presently, a mixed public and private system of communications in Australia, but believe that it is essential for our future that moves are made to increase public ownership and control of communications in Australia - communications, directly accountable to all Australians and responsive to their needs and desires.
In privately-owned media, the recent concentration of print and broadcasting media in the hands of a wealthy elite must be addressed to greater diversity of proprietors and media outlets, but also greater democracy in the ownership and control of Australia's media.
Publicly-owned, controlled and funded communications, have played a critical role in creating a diverse, creative and egalitarian Australia. Presently public institutions, in Australian communications are under attack. The PLP believes that our existing public institutions such as the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), the Special Broadcasting Commission (SBS), Australia Post, Telstra, must be kept in the hands of the people. In principle, we reject privatisation (via greater commercialisation, contracting out, partial or full privatisation) of these bodies as such moves generally mean that citizens lose. These institutions need to be revitalised, reformed in some cases and better funded if all Australians are to benefit from quality affordable communications.
All Australians should have affordable, adequate and timely access to postal, telecommunications and new communications technologies. Traditions of equality of access to postal and phone services should be maintained and greatly extended, and community access to new services such as mobile communications, new telecommunications networks (such as the hybrid fibre optical and coaxial cable network- being rolled out throughout Australia by communications companies as well as new satellite and wireless communications networks).
Communications also means being able to creatively use the means of communications to express cultural, social and political values. In order to overcome the capitalist dichotomy between a mass of passive consumers and an elite of corporations using communications media to transmit their narrow values, we claim the right for all individuals, groups, communities and countries to be cultural producers in ways consonant with their vision, traditions, needs and desires. For this to be possible, there should be free, public access to the means of cultural production.
2.1 That the majority of communications are controlled by the people through publicly-owned organisations, such as Telstra, Australia Post, the ABC and SBS. That in any restructuring the percentage or publicly-owned communications increases rather than decreases.
2.2 That in both publicly and privately owned communications organisations, there is the maximum possible democratic control of decision-making, and the maximum possible diversity of views represented in cultural production.
2.3 That cultural maintenance and diversity be the goal of communications policies, particularly in relation to the availability of information, entertainment and cultural material in broadcasting, print and new media. This entails the support of cultural production by all groups in society, not just dominant ones. Particular support should be given to cultural production and communications by indigenous Australians and those from minority cultures.
2.4 That all Australians enjoy equal, affordable and adequate access to communications. The needs of different groups of people, such as those living in rural and remote areas, people with disabilities, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, indigenous Australians and others should be given particular attention, as their needs have not been well served by existing communications media.
2.5 That Australians should be actively involved in promoting democratic and egalitarian policies globally through assisting those working for better communications in less developed countries. The Australian government should support progressive communications policies in the context of globalisation rather than blindly following neo-liberal and technological determinist models.
We recognise the reality of continued mixed (i.e. public/private) ownership and thus support it within the following framework:
3.1 That there is an expansion of publicly owned television, radio and print media. This could be achieved via community ownership or co-operatives. It could also be through the establishment of a government-owned newspaper, providing the control is democratically - based for example, via an editorial board with democratic representation.
3.2 The ABC and SBS are vital sources of Australian information and entertainment. They must be kept under democratic public ownership, and their independence respected and strengthened. The level of their funding must be increased, and kept reliable and predictable.
3.3 Radio Australia is an invaluable source of information and entertainment for many people living in Asia. Its funding should be increased, and its independence and long-term future secured.
3.4 New charters for publicly-owned and controlled communications media especially the ABC, SBS and Radio Australia should be, drawn up with public consultation. Such a charter should
3.5 That in relation to privately - owned media:
3.6 That the important sources of news, information and culture through communications media be under democratic Australian control. Accordingly, foreign ownership of media will be limited.
Telecommunications is a central means of communications, particularly for keeping in touch with family and friends, gaining access to services and being able to use to new media such as the Internet. However, the PLP is critical of the global trend towards competition in telecommunications and believes that Australia needs to adopt other policies if telecommunications is to become truly accessible for all.
4.1 That a public inquiry he held into the future of Australian telecommunications and how our networks can best serve the needs of the people. In particular, that the present bias toward, competition as a model of service provision be critically examined.
4.2 The PLP is committed to regaining 100% public ownership of Telstra. The acquisition of various other telecommunications providers shall also be implemented. This public structure is to be fully accountable to the Australian people. The Telstra Board should include at least two positions nominated by consumer groups and trade unions.
4.3 ?
4.4 That Telstra open its network modernisation and service delivery, plans up to greater public scrutiny and public inquiry.
4.5 That one hundred per cent universal access to a standard telecommunications services for all who want it, be a primary policy target. This standard telecommunications service should include phone, fast data (at an Integrated Services Digital Network standard), and accessible handset as a minimum. Broadband pay television networks being rolled out by Telstra and Optus should be made accessible as quickly as possible to all Australians, regardless of where they live not just be the province of larger, metropolitan cities. That as many other services as possible be made available to people living in rural and remote area.
4.6 All telecommunications service providers should be publicly registered and subject to a far more stringent set of consumer protection safeguards than presently envisaged. This should include strengthened customer service guarantees and a right of appeal to a Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman based in the Commonwealth Ombudsman's office.
4.7 That public involvement in the decision - making of all telecommunications organisations and funding for independent public domain social and policy research in telecommunications be greatly strengthened. One of the ways this can be achieved is through an expansion of the envisaged consumer advocacy and research fund via a mandatory industry levy.
4.8 That Telstra and other service providers have strong requirements to assist the development of telecommunications and information technology industries in Australia by sourcing technology locally.
5.1 Australia Post remain publicly-owned and made more accountable to the Australian people. The Australia Post Board should include at least two positions nominated by consumer groups and trade unions.
5.2 That postal services be made more accessible to all Australians particularly Australians in remote areas who receive only infrequent mail deliveries compared to citizens living elsewhere in the country.
The PLP recognises that the Internet and other new media are increasingly popular, yet remain restricted to those with sufficient money, education and equipment to use them easily. While it is often thought that the Internet for instance, is a new industry where concentration of power and capital does not exist, this is not the case and will certainly not be the case in the future. In addition, the Internet is in the process of rapid commercialisation, moving from its government -financed and controlled origins to a privately - owned and controlled model.
6.1 That all Australians have publicly funded access to the Internet at home, in their workplaces, in community centres and libraries, and in schools and universities.
6.2 That a Diversity in New Media Fund be established to ensure that there is a diverse range of Australian - produced cultural material on and initiatives using the Internet. This Fund should be financed through a levy on Internet service providers.
6.3 That a publicly - owned Australian Internet Network- (AIN) be established. This should be formed by returning the Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet) the higher education Internet network, to public ownership and democratic control (reversing its recent move to become a private Organisation). At least fifty per cent of the Board of this new AIN to be elected from the community.
6.4 That stringent consumer protection regulations be established for privately, owned Internet service providers.
6.5 That consideration be given to the establishment of a national remote indigenous, broadband network, in order to make new communications technologies available to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
While it is acknowledged that "Australian content" is a difficult to define and much debated concept, the PLP believes there needs to be stronger measures taken in all media to promote diverse Australian content in the face of globalisation, and the danger of distinctive Australian voices being swamped. Independent, critical information provided by Australia's publicly - funded television and radio services is central to democratic possibilities in our society. This promotion of Australian culture in communications media is essential, but quality programs, information and entertainment can be expensive. Our capacities to talk about, think about and celebrate our own cultures must be safeguarded, as must the livelihoods of our cultural workers.
7.1 Australian content rules in free-to-air and pay television must be maintained and drastically expanded. in the following categories drama, documentaries, sport, advertising, news, children's programs and current affairs.
8.1 That funding and security of community broadcasting be greatly increased.
8.2 No less than 10% of pay television channels be designated for community and public broadcasting. Pay television providers should be levied to provide funding for facilities and training for community broadcasters.
8.3 That funding of indigenous broadcasting be greatly increased.
That information networks such as those created by drop-in centres, citizens' advice bureau, libraries, community, centres, youth centres continuing education centres providing a range of formal and informal contact and information be given greater recognition as a communications resources and given greater government funding.
That the PLP opposes censorship in principle except where evidence is provided of adverse social consequences. Within this framework, it believes the decisions about which information or entertainment to view, read or download remain the responsibility of the relevant end-user (whether individual or community).
The PLP believes that conservative forces are presently exploiting the lack of general understanding of new media, such as the Internet, in order to wind back gains achieved in freedom of expression.
The PLP believes, therefore, that policies restricting access to electronic, broadcasting or print media should be carefully scrutinised. and any safeguards only introduced if absolutely necessary and after exhaustive democratic debate.
The privacy protection applying to public sector communications organisations under the Privacy Act should be strengthened and extended to all government business enterprises and private sector organisations.
Freedom of information legislation should also be strengthened and retained for public sector organisation and extended to private sector communications service providers.