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Bill: Media Reform Bill
Details
Submitted by[?]: Labour Party
Status[?]: defeated
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: October 2601
Description[?]:
| This bill is designed to democratise the media of Rutania. It is wrong that a handful of wealthy individuals should own the media and simply broadcast their individual editorial lines. That is not a 'free press'. If the government owned the media there would be outrage, yet the exact same situation is accepted when it is a 'private' individual who dominates the media, and acts in a way as monolithic as any government would or could. We believe that a press owned by but a few individuals is as damaging to democracy as a government owned press. Therefore, we propose change. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Radio stations.
Old value:: All radio stations are private.
Current: All radio stations are owned by independent non-profit-making cooperatives which receive no subsidies from the government.
Proposed: All radio stations are owned by independent non-profit-making cooperatives which are subsidised by the government.
Article 2
Proposal[?] to change Television stations.
Old value:: All television media are private.
Current: All TV stations are owned by independent non-profit-making cooperatives which receive no subsidies from the government.
Proposed: All TV stations are owned by independent non-profit-making cooperatives which are subsidised by the government.
Article 3
Proposal[?] to change International media content regulation.
Old value:: International media content is free from regulation
Current: International media content undergoes the same regulation as domestic media content.
Proposed: International media content undergoes the same regulation as domestic media content.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 15:40:00, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | We realise that some may view government subsidies as akin to government control. However, this is not so. Rather, the government would subsidise all political perspectives regardless of the government's view. In doing so, we can have a wide range of political perspectives represented in our media, and done so not in the pursuit of profit which leads to sensationalist headlines and utter nonsense being published or broadcast, but on a not for profit basis which is far better for a democracy. Indeed, this bill will democratise the media by giving every Rutanian the abiltiy to contribute to and help run the press - where as before it was a privilege for the handful of wealthy individuals who had the money to do so. We believe that the media should reflect all viewpoints, and that involvement in running it and holding it to account should be a right for every Rutanian, not a privilege for the wealthy. |
| Date | 15:49:40, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | Also, we don't see the government as having to expend too much on this. Although the cooperatives are not-for-profit, they will still make money - but in a fashion to cover costs instead of making profit. In this way, the government subsidies would only be provided for any shortfalls, which are unlikely to be drastic. And, in all honesty, it is better the government assists a cooperative which is struggling just a little, and in doing so upholds democratic values and a democratic media, than dogamtically advocates a laissez-faire approach, and in the process undermines democracy. The reality is, contrary to what many classical liberals believe, that laissez-faire economics and democracy are not natural partners, and often the former will stifle the latter. |
| Date | 15:50:53, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Rutanian Democratic Forum | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | No, it is against basic rights in free democracy and against principles of free initiatives and free market. RRDF does not support, and is strongly against all proposed articles. |
| Date | 15:52:11, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | Have you read the arguments that we provided, RRDF? |
| Date | 16:04:05, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Rutanian Democratic Forum | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | Yes, and we do not agree - we do not believe in such thing as "objectivity of the government. " Government can be a little bit objective, coupled with civil iniatives and civil society, but we do not believe that only government- run media companies would be "more democratic." It is better to enable all citizens a right to speech, that does not necessary mean a right to own such a media company. |
| Date | 16:14:23, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | "All TV stations are owned by independent non-profit making cooperatives which are subsidised by the government" They are not government run, but are independent. As we outlined above, all viewpoints will receive subsidies should they need it - and that will be the government's only role in the media. Our parliament is diverse enough to ensure that proper checks and balances are in place, and that the government does not abuse its position. We are advocating a real democratic revolution here, and it is along the same sort of lines as the TU ballot Act proposed by the RRDF. It is about grassroots democracy and empowering every citizen of Rutania in place of the wealthy few. We see no reason that every citizen should not collectively own a media organisation. it is surely better than leaving control in the hands of but a few individuals who act for their own ends, represent their own views, and in doing so offer no choice in media, or real democracy within the various mediums of this country. |
| Date | 16:19:21, July 01, 2008 CET | From | Rutanian Democratic Forum | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | It reminds us to collective ownership, which could have negative impact on our free-market- liberal society and country. Also, everything that is government subsidized (money!) cannot be entirely independent. Also, non profit organizations have no interest in running such a media company (which is a very profitable business), except maybe principles and civil action. But this would harm our economy. |
| Date | 01:25:40, July 02, 2008 CET | From | Federal Rutanian Libertarian Union | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | We agree entirely with the statements of the RRDF. |
| Date | 15:05:49, July 04, 2008 CET | From | Imperium Party | To | Debating the Media Reform Bill |
| Message | We agree that the TV stations and Radio Stations should be owned by the government, it is just one step furthur in giving more power to the government, being abled to control the media and shape public opinions. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | ||
| yes |
Total Seats: 133 | ||
| no | Total Seats: 374 | ||
| abstain | Total Seats: 92 |
| Random fact: "Jezvraljogadsrlji" means "Social" in the Jelbic languages. |
| Random quote: "I reject the cynical view that politics is a dirty business." - Richard M. Nixon |