Broadcasting Services Act 1992

If:

an international broadcasting service is provided under an international broadcasting licence; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is contrary to Australia’s national interest; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ACMA, directs the ACMA to issue a formal warning to the licensee;

If:

an international broadcasting service is provided under an international broadcasting licence; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is contrary to Australia’s national interest; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ACMA, directs the ACMA to suspend the licence for the period specified in the direction;

If:

an international broadcasting service is provided under an international broadcasting licence; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the service is contrary to Australia’s national interest; and

the Minister for Foreign Affairs, by written notice given to the ACMA, directs the ACMA to cancel the licence;

If the Minister for Foreign Affairs proposes to direct the ACMA to cancel an international broadcasting licence, he or she must direct the ACMA to:

give the licensee written notice of his or her intention; and

give the licensee a reasonable opportunity to send a submission to the ACMA in relation to the proposed direction; and

forward any such submission to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

For the purposes of this section, in determining whether an international broadcasting service is contrary to Australia’s national interest, the Minister for Foreign Affairs must have regard to the effect of the service on Australia’s international relations.

For the purposes of this section, in determining whether an international broadcasting service is contrary to Australia’s national interest, the Minister for Foreign Affairs may have regard to a report given by the ACMA under section 121FM. This subsection does not limit the material to which the Minister for Foreign Affairs may have regard.