Licence Breaches
In May 2008, the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that 4DDB was in breach of its licence conditions by failing to appropriately disclose financial support during live interviews with commercial sponsors. No penalty was issued as this was the first such breach.
In September 2008, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, investigating in response to two written complaints, again found that 4DDB was operating in breach of its licence conditions specified by Schedule 2 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 by i) broadcasting advertisements without acknowledgment of financial support, ii) exceeding the five minutes per hour limit of sponsorship announcements, and iii) operating the service as part of a profit- making enterprise. ACMA did find however, that the service was adequately representing the community interest. The investigation detailed the complex programming, commercial and financial arrangements and agreements that have been in place between the management committee, presenters and other parties. It also mentions verbal agreements and found that, in practice, 4DDB had effectively sold air time to other parties. The investigation concluded that these breaches of licence conditions were of a serious nature and as such ACMA would pursue compliance measures.
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