It’s a good question and one that has been asked many times before. This time by Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown who argues that, “With the move of newspapers into the digital age it is not logical that broadcast proprietors must be licensed and subject to a suitability test when print proprietors are not.” On the surface, this might sound like something that stations and those of their presenters with a conservative bent might agree with, despite them and Senator Brown being less than natural allies.

Where they are likely to be at odds is that Senator Brown is looking to introduce more regulations, not less. Albeit not on the broadcast sector – this time. But is Radio’s interest served by having restrictions placed on other media as a way of levelling the playing field?

Perhaps the opposite could be argued. That is, rather than impose restrictions on other media, the restrictions under which Radio must operate should be lifted.

Obviously there would still be the need for broadcast licences because spectrum is limited. But as far as “suitability” issues are concerned it seems that the law, at least in Britain, is adequate to deal with any wrongdoing as evidenced by the number of Murdoch employees who have already been arrested and are awaiting trial.

Good thing? Bad thing? What would the world look like tomorrow if Radio became more like Press, totally self regulatory and without the ACMA playing watchdog?