Embattled Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has defended his decision to cut $250 million in fees to the three big television networks.
The legitimate reasons for the cut - like the uncertain future faced by free-to-air television networks - seem to have gotten lost in the debate, he said.
Senator Conroy has been under the pump since his ski-slopes meeting with Seven boss Kerry Stokes in January first came to light.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The meeting came just weeks before Senator Conroy announced the government was slashing $250 million off licensing fees paid by the Seven, Nine and Ten networks.
'Election year bribe'
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has called it an election year bribe.
But people forgot the free-to-air channels faced many challenges and the cut was recognition of that, Senator Conroy said.
"There is a long-term structural decline in free-to-air broadcasting all around the world," he told ABC Television on Thursday.
"With the advent of the internet and as part of the government's National Broadband Network plans, there is going to be massive competition coming into the media over the next few years."
It was the government's job to ensure Australian television stations continued to thrive, Senator Conroy said.
