SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE ACT 1991 - SECT 10 Duties of the Board

SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE ACT 1991 - SECT 10

  (1)   It is the duty of the Board:

  (a)   to maintain the independence and integrity of the SBS; and

  (b)   to develop and publicise the SBS's programming policies; and

  (c)   to ensure, by means of the SBS's programming policies, that the gathering and presentation by the SBS of news and information is accurate and is balanced over time and across the schedule of programs broadcast; and

  (d)   to ensure that the SBS does not contravene:

  (i)   this Act or any other Act; or

  (ii)   any directions given to, or requirements made in relation to, the SBS under this Act or another Act; and

  (e)   to ensure the efficient and cost effective functioning of the SBS; and

  (f)   to ensure that the SBS seeks to co - operate closely with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to maximise the efficiency of the publicly funded sectors of Australian broadcasting; and

  (g)   to be aware of, and responsive to, community needs and opinions on matters relevant to the Charter; and

  (h)   to develop and publicise the SBS's policies on the handling of complaints; and

  (i)   to ensure that the pursuit by the SBS of its subsidiary functions does not detract from the SBS fulfilling its Charter responsibilities; and

  (j)   to develop codes of practice relating to:

  (i)   programming matters; and

  (ii)   if the SBS has the function of providing a datacasting service under section   6A--that service;

    and to notify those codes to the ACMA.

  (2)   Nothing in this section imposes on the Board a duty that is enforceable by proceedings in a court.