Media Files: ACCC seeks to clip wings of tech giants like Facebook and Google but international effort is required

Andrea Carson, La Trobe University, Andrew Dodd, The University of Melbourne, Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University, Margaret Simons

Authors

Andrea Carson
Associate Professor at La Trobe University. Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University
Andrew Dodd
Director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne
Matthew Ricketson
Professor of Communication, Deakin University

Interviewed

Margaret Simons
Associate professor, Journalism, Monash University

Disclosure statement

Andrea Carson was invited to give her expert views to the ACCC during the inquiry and is the author of 'Investigative journalism, democracy and the digital age' published by Routledge, which is quoted in the ACCC's final report. She is also a chief investigator on an Australian Research Council grant examining the role of media coverage and other factors on public policy making.

Matthew Ricketson is a chief investigator on an Australian Research Council grant led by Deakin University about developing new ways to support the survival of country media in the digital era. He is a member of the board of the Public Interest Journalism Foundation.

Andrew Dodd does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Partners

University of Melbourne provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

La Trobe University and Deakin University provide funding as members of The Conversation AU.

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Media Files: ACCC seeks to clip wings of tech giants like Facebook and Google but international effort is required The Conversation55 MB (download)

In a landmark report, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has urged the federal government to fix the uneven market power of digital companies like Facebook and Google that make it almost impossible for traditional media companies to compete for advertising and audiences.

The Digital Platforms Inquiry report, released in late July, lists 23 recommendations that cover all aspects of how and where we get our news. The ACCC’s proposed changes span competition law, consumer protections, media regulation and privacy laws.

Today, the Media Files team talks to a media owner and journalism expert to look closely at what the ACCC has suggested needs to change so media businesses remain economically viable and able to produce reliable news in all parts of Australia.

Media Files’ guests are media academic and journalist Margaret Simons from Monash University and Ross McPherson, editor-in-chief of the McPherson Media Group, publisher of 14 newspapers in regional Victoria and New South Wales.

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Additional credits

Producers: Andy Hazel and Gavin Nebauer.

Theme music: Susie Wilkins.

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AAP/EPA/JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE

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