Media reform

Analysis and Comment (10)

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Media organisations should push for media rights and freedoms on a more regular basis, not only when they’re under threat. AAP/Lukas Coch

Media reforms: lessons from a narrow escape to a fragile freedom

By Mark Pearson, Griffith University

It is just a week since the Gillard government withdrew the four media reform bills for which it could not garner the necessary support from the crossbench MPs. The proposal that concerned me most as…
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After Conroy’s media reforms failed to find any standing, where does media regulation go from here? AAP/Alan Porritt

Media reforms a historic opportunity missed

By Denis Muller, University of Melbourne

To get an idea of how big an opportunity the federal government missed with its shambolic attempt at media reform, consider this: the last federal minister to achieve any substantive reform of media self…
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Stephen Conroy’s approach threatens Australia’s standing as a free, Western democracy. AAP/Lukas Coch

Conroy’s media reforms are too much stick, not enough carrot

By Mark Pearson, Griffith University

It’s a great shame when political and commercial vested interests drown out compelling and principled arguments for free expression in this Australian media reform debate. First, I declare my own interest…
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Two companies control 88% of Australia’s print media assets. AAP/April Fonti

Australia’s lamentable media diversity needs a regulatory fix

By Tim Dwyer

Australian media, and in particular the print media, stands out internationally among advanced democracies for its extreme concentration. Three owners – News Limited, Fairfax Media and APN News and Media…
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The Courier Mail never retracted a story alleging Manning Clark was a spy, even though the Press Council ruled against them. AAP/Dave Hunt

Media reform could save victims of misinformation … like my grandfather

By Tom Clark, Victoria University

It is a matter of public record in Australia that my grandfather was a communist spy. That he wasn’t really one doesn’t always matter. Manning Clark, famous Australian historian and my father’s father…
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Former News International executive Rebekah Brooks leaves the Old Bailey after appearing on charges of conspiring to bribe public officials. It was revelations about journalistic practises at News that inspired inquiries in Australia and the UK. EPA/Andy Rain

UK and Australian media reforms are very different beasts

By Brian McNair, Queensland University of Technology

There are at least two points of convergence in this week’s parliamentary deliberations on media freedom in Australia and the UK. Both are driven by reports – Finkelstein and Leveson respectively – responding…
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Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has come under concerted attack by many sections of the media over his proposed reforms. But what exactly are they? AAP/Lukas Coch

Explainer: Conroy’s proposed new media laws

By Martin Hirst, Deakin University

For the past 12 months we’ve been warned on an almost daily basis that the sky is about to fall in on media freedoms in Australia, but what does the legislation before parliament this week actually propose…
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With cabinet appearing to have sat on the proposal for a privacy tort, Stephen Conroy’s move to refer it to the Australian Law Reform Commission may effectively consign it to oblivion. AAP

Reform that wobbles like jelly: A spineless approach to privacy protection

By Bruce Baer Arnold, University of Canberra

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has indicated the federal government will not be introducing a “privacy tort” in the near future. Instead, it will refer questions about the tort back to the Australian…
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Stephen Conroy’s media reform package has led to cries of media censorship – but do even conservative spruikers really believe this? AAP

From ‘hate media’ to another fine mess: How media reform got derailed

By Martin Hirst, Deakin University

Since the day in November 2011 that Justice Ray Finkelstein and University of Canberra Professor Matthew Ricketson held court in Melbourne, the mainstream media has been hostile to any suggestion of media…

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