Royal Commission on Television
Royal Commission on Television in Australia · Paton Royal Commission
11 February 1953 – 29 September 1954
Royal commission that advised the Menzies government on how television should be introduced and controlled in Australia.
How it came into existence
Its members were named on 5 February 1953 and it was appointed by Letters Patent dated 11 February 1953, with Professor George Paton (Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne) as chairman and C. B. Bednall, Maud Foxton, R. G. Osborne, R. C. Wilson and N. S. Young as members. It was to let Australia profit from overseas experience in introducing television, and considered the number of national and commercial stations, the economics of the service and the standards to be observed.
How it ended
Reported in 1954 (exact date not found), affirming that television should be introduced under a dual system of national and commercial stations. Regular television services began in 1956. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 29 September 1954 as the date the final report was presented.
Main functions
- Number and distribution of national and commercial television stations
- Economics of television services
- Programme and technical standards and control of television
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.