Latest news with #NationalCulturalPolicy
Barnama
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Barnama
MOTAC Committed To Strengthening Arts, Culture Through GSSK - Sec-Gen
TUMPAT, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) has expressed its appreciation for the continued support of arts and heritage associations, in the annual implementation of programmes under the Cultural Sector Support Grant (GSSK) initiative. MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot said that, in an effort to stimulate arts and cultural activities nationwide, the ministry is committed to supporting arts, culture, and heritage-based associations by covering part of their event organisation costs through the GSSK initiative. 'Hence, I sincerely hope that arts, culture, and heritage associations will continue to support the ministry's efforts in promoting the national arts and culture agenda, outlined under the National Cultural Policy.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Aussie Streaming Quotas Could Divert $200 Million From Hollywood: Trump Official
Australia has been named as one of several governments that 'undercut' the U.S. film industry, according to a social media post by a top U.S. trade official. On May 23, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wrote about the Trump administration's efforts to bring big budget Hollywood productions back onshore, appointing 'special ambassadors to Hollywood' to try kickstart the initiative. The move comes after the administration approved a 'Over 80 countries offer production tax incentives, resulting in many productions that could have been filmed in the United States locating elsewhere,' Greer 'Many blockbusters have been filmed in Canada, Croatia, France, New Zealand, and several other countries, which offer generous incentives, while overall production in the U.S. was down 26 percent in 2024 compared to 2021.' Greer named the Australian Labor government's impending National Cultural Policy 'Revive.' Related Stories 4/29/2025 4/10/2025 'Australia's National Cultural Policy, released in January 2023, recommends imposing Australian screen content requirements on streaming video services,' he said. According to Greer, these rules could lead U.S.-based platforms spending between $220 million and $440 million annually in Australia, instead of in the United States. The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Nov. 16, Are the Current Quotas? Content quotas require broadcasters and digital platforms to invest or broadcast a specified amount of local content, aimed at maintaining the local culture. Revive earmarks a production expenditure model where streaming companies need to spend a portion of locally derived revenue—up to 30 percent for the largest platforms—on Australian drama. The other suggestion is mandating that 10 percent be invested in new local productions, which could later rise to 20 percent. The policy remains under development. 'Countries typically rely on tools like local content quotas. For example, France and Australia have requirements for domestic content on radio and streaming platforms, and China restricts access to foreign film licenses through a strict annual cap,' said Vladimir Tyazhelnikov, senior lecturer in economics and specialist in global tariffs, in The Epoch Times has reached out to Tony Burke, the minister for art and culture for latest reaction but did not receive a response in time for publication. During Senate Estimates in May 2024, officials from the Department of Communications confirmed that the Revive proposal was still being refined ahead of Cabinet consideration. The issue hit a roadblock when trade experts and industry representatives raising concerns that the proposed quotas might violate terms of the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). Australia's Response So Far Australia's ambassador to Washington, former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, recently flagged concerns over the 100 percent tariff on imported films. Speaking at a public forum, Rudd warned such a move could hinder cultural exchange. 'I don't think we want to see a tax on Bluey,' he said, referencing the Brisbane-made children's show that has become the most streamed program in the United States. Meanwhile, some local experts are concerned of the impact it could have on the Australian industry, given its heavily reliance on U.S. productions. 'The impact on Australia would be swift and severe. States such as New South Wales and Queensland have built robust screen production industries, attracting major international projects such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Elvis, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and The Fall Guy,' said Mike Seymour, an Emmy-nominated visual effects professional and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School. 'These productions inject millions into local economies and support a wide network of jobs in everything from set design and location services to visual effects and post-production. 'When Australian screen content is under pressure because of the rise of global streamers and the decline of free-to-air broadcasting, these international partnerships are more important than ever.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump Tariffs: Australia Holds Firm on Local Content Quotas Despite U.S. Trade Pressures
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has doubled down on the government's commitment to implement local content quotas for streaming platforms, despite mounting pressure from the U.S. amid escalating trade tensions. 'We strongly support local content in streaming services so Australian stories stay on Australian screens,' Albanese said on Thursday. Albanese's remarks came in the wake of the so-called 'Liberation Day' declared by the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump declared sweeping trade tariffs for several countries. More from Variety Neil Young Fears He Won't Be Allowed Back in U.S. After European Tour, Due to Speaking Out Against Trump, 'Worst President in the History of Our Great Country' Will TikTok Be Banned Again? As Deadline Nears, Trump Says 'I'd Like to See TikTok Remain Alive' President Trump Joined by Kid Rock for Signing of Executive Order Aimed at Ticket Scalping Albanese's statement comes after Australia was specifically named in the U.S. Trade Representative's 'Foreign Trade Barriers' report for 2025. The report explicitly highlights Australia's National Cultural Policy and its intention to introduce 'requirements for Australian screen content on streaming platforms to ensure continued access to local stories.' The U.S. government noted it 'will continue to monitor this issue to ensure Australia's compliance with its FTA obligations.' Australia isn't alone in facing American scrutiny over audiovisual services regulations. The trade report singles out 13 other territories — including the European Union, Canada, China, India and Korea — for similar measures protecting local content industries. The Albanese government had initially promised to implement streaming quotas by July 1, but quietly pushed the timeline back while maintaining its commitment to the policy. This delay has sparked concerns within Australia's creative community. 'Because of the delay in putting these rules into place, right now, finding our own screen stories is getting harder and harder, and that's not a good situation,' said Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers Australia (SPA). Deaner, however, welcomed the Prime Minister's firm stance, acknowledging the 'enormous pressure' Australia has faced from the U.S., particularly from the Motion Picture Association, which he claims has tried to 'resist, delay, and read down the local content rules.' 'The hundreds of small screen businesses and the thousands of their employees and partners across a range of creative sectors will welcome this statement by the Prime Minister,' Deaner added. 'It signals the ongoing solid support for our creative industries and the importance of local content rules to Australia's cultural sovereignty.' The Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) has taken an even stronger position, with chief executive Erin Madeley calling for the next federal government to mandate that streaming services invest 20% of revenue derived from Australian audiences back into local content production. Australia's Media Bargaining Code, which requires designated digital platforms to negotiate payments with registered Australian news media businesses for content, was also identified in the U.S. trade report. The Australian government announced plans in December 2024 to strengthen these measures by introducing financial penalties for platforms that fail to reach or renew commercial agreements. As trade tensions continue under the new Trump administration, Albanese's statement represents a significant commitment to protecting Australia's cultural industries amidst a challenging international trade environment. In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric, Albanese didn't mince words when addressing Trump's tariff bombshell, lambasting the 10% levy on Australian exports as 'totally unwarranted' and pointedly declaring it was 'not the act of a friend' — language that signals a potentially rocky road ahead for U.S.-Australian trade relations as both sides dig in on their respective policy positions. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
