Organization and Responsibilities of ACMA
– ACMA is an independent government agency managed by an executive team comprising the Chair and Deputy Chair.
– ACMA collects revenue on behalf of the Australian Government through broadcasting, radiocommunications, and telecommunications taxes, charges, and license fees.
– ACMA has four divisions: Communications Infrastructure, Content, Consumer and Citizen, Corporate and Research, and Legal Services.
– ACMA has responsibilities under four principal Acts and responds to another 22 Acts in areas such as spam and interactive gambling.
– ACMA has main offices located in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Convergence and Challenges
– Communications convergence is the merging of previously distinct services over digital platforms.
– ACMA works with industry and citizens to address new concerns and mitigate risks in the evolving networked society.
– Controls on content production and distribution are subject to revision and adaptation to the networked society.
– ACMA faces challenges such as cross-jurisdictional issues and the need for collaboration with stakeholders.
– ACMA has developed a converged communications regulator framework with four cornerstone parts.
The ACMA Hotline for reporting offensive or illegal online content
– The ACMA administers a complaints mechanism for reporting prohibited online content.
– Content is assessed with reference to the National Classification Scheme.
– The ACMA Hotline is part of the international network INHOPE, which exchanges information on child abuse images.
– Prohibited online content found in Australia is issued a take-down notice, while content hosted overseas is notified to optional end-user filters.
– The ACMA publishes comprehensive statistics and information about the ACMA Hotline.
Bridging to the future (part of ACMA’s converged communications regulator framework)
– Reviewing industry standards and codes of practice.
– Developing more flexible licensing.
– Updating spectrum management tools.
– Research and analysis to examine the effectiveness of current regulation.
– Proactive development of responses through thought leadership and regulatory development.
Transforming the agency (part of ACMA’s converged communications regulator framework)
– Creating resilience through capability training.
– Evidence-based reporting on industry performance.
– Administration of spam intelligence database.
– Evidence-based approach to tracking industry performance during digital TV transition.
– Adapting the organization to the changing world of convergence and focusing on agency innovation.
Note: The subtopics “Do Not Call Register,” “Spam Act,” “The Australian Internet Security Initiative and malware,” “Telecommunications Sector Security Reform (TSSR),” “ACMAs role in Internet content regulation,” and “Online Safety Act 2021” can be included in the relevant groups above as supporting information. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Communications_and_Media_Authority
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2012) |
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is an Australian government statutory authority within the Communications portfolio. ACMA was formed on 1 July 2005 with the merger of the Australian Broadcasting Authority and the Australian Communications Authority.
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 July 2005 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | Government of Australia |
| Employees | 445 |
| Agency executives |
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| Website | acma.gov.au |
ACMA is responsible for collecting broadcasting, radiocommunication and telecommunication taxes and regulating Australian media. It does this through various legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice. ACMA is a converged regulator, created to oversee the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, radio communications and the internet.
