Australian Communication and Media Authority are seeking Deaf Australia’s response to ACMA’s draft exemption and target reduction for Fetch TV.

For the following channels:

• Baby TV
• Bloomberg
• CNBC Asia Pacific
• CGTN (formerly CCTV News)
• France 24 (English)
• Euronews
• NDTC 24×7
• HGTV
• Australian Christian Channel
• Travel Channel
• Food Network
• Nat Geo Wild (reduce target)

Deaf Australia will not support any exemption or reduction of captioned programs on all broadcast programs (including subscription and free-to air networks) so deaf and hard of hearing people can have access to fewer captioned programs.

Here is what you can do…

Below are two templates you can copy, paste and then email to [email protected] or click the link below each template to automatically generate the email in your email program. Don’t forget to include your name at the end of the email!
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Template 1: Fetch TV subscribers (who pay a monthly subscription)

Dear ACMA Captioning
I am deaf/hard of hearing and I enjoy watching television programs that are captioned. Captioning is vital for me to be able to access information and entertainment.
The proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV will mean I will get fewer captioned programs and my access to information and entertainment will be reduced.
As a subscriber to your service, I pay the same amount as other subscribers yet under the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for Fetch TV I will have access to less content. I believe that this is unfair and inequitable.
ACMA, we ask that you do not approve the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV meaning less access to captioned programs.
We must move forward to make programs more accessible, not less.
Regards,
(your name)
Click here to automatically generate this email in your email program
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Template 2: Non subscribers (people who do not currently have Fetch TV)

Dear ACMA Captioning,
I am deaf/hard of hearing and I enjoy watching television programs that are captioned. Captioning is vital for me to be able to access information and entertainment.
I am considering subscribing to Fetch TV but will not do so as, under the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for Fetch TV I will pay the same amount as other subscribers but will have access to less content. I believe that this is unfair and inequitable.
ACMA, we ask that you do not approve the proposed draft exemption and target reductions for FetchTV meaning less access to captioned programs.
We must move forward to make programs more accessible, not less.
Regards,
(your name)
Click here to automatically create this email in your email program