News Corp slams Australian digital TV plans

NEWS News Corporation has reacted angrily to the Australian Government's plans for the setting up of digital television services in the country. Australian communications minister, Richard Alston, announced this week that regulations will prevent companies such as News Corporation from effectively competing in the Digital TV market until at least 2004. Lachlan Murdoch, News Corporation's chief executive of News Ltd, said the government is trying to protect the Australian TV cartel. He also reported to have called the move anti-competitive and undemocratic. A number of companies, including News Corporation, are attempting to bring in Datacasting services, a high-definition interactive medium. This week's announcement prevents datacasters from broadcasting anything other than 10 minute information programs. According to the Financial Times, News Corporation is prevented from taking part in Australia's TV industry because of Australian cross-media ownership regulations.