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Articles on Media regulation

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While Microsoft, Google and Apple have had to answer questions in Canberra about whether they meet their tax obligations, their media activities seemingly defy regulation. AAP/Nikki Short

It’s time for Australians to rewind the media policy machine

Current regulations are a complete mismatch for today’s media practices and structures. While politicians shy from the debate, it’s time to heed public opinion and revisit the Finkelstein Report.
Today FM faces enforcement action by ACMA after a long-running legal challenge to the media regulator’s powers ended in defeat for the broadcaster. AAP/Warren Clarke

High Court rejects attempt to make media watchdog toothless

After a High Court win over Today FM, ACMA is likely to be able to deal more swiftly with this kind of case – and with less risk of incurring large legal bills.
Corporations are looking for new and inventive ways to get their message out. Shutterstock

Native advertising a media credibility crisis in waiting

Advertising is going ‘native’, creeping in to places formerly reserved for editorial content. In the final piece in our series, we look at the lack of regulation around such “embedded” content. UK media…
Media outlets have free speech rights, but not when they’re trying to sell you something. Shutterstock

Beyond free speech: the thin layer of regulation on native advertising

In the endless drive to get people’s attention, advertising is going ‘native’, creeping in to places formerly reserved for editorial content. In this Native Advertising series we find out what it looks…
Rupert Murdoch has long been attracted to China, but was it a case of unrequited love? AAP/Dan Himbrechts

China proves immune to Murdoch-style regime change

Having created an empire on which the sun never sets, it must have been a heavy blow to Rupert Murdoch when his company, 21st Century Fox, announced last week it had sold its 47% stake in Star China TV…
Former News Corp Australia chief executive Kim Williams speaking with journalist Kerry O'Brien at a QUT business leaders’ forum. Kim Stephens/Brisbane Times

Former News Corp chief plays coy on election coverage

In his first major speech since his sudden resignation last month as News Corp Australia’s chief executive, Kim Williams had the packed Grand Ballroom at Brisbane’s Hilton hotel abuzz with speculation…
To whom does one complain about the PCC? Yui Mok/PA

Freedom of speech is not freedom to spin

Free speech does not imply the freedom to mislead. We want our media to be free, but also honest and reliable. Balancing those sometimes competing demands is a subtle and difficult task. In many countries…
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

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 a…
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

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…
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

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…
Lord justice Leveson was in Sydney last week to discuss his findings. AAP/Lukas Coch

Leveson must lead to cultural change for press and public

Britain’s newspaper editors met in a London hotel last week in a bid to fend off statutory regulation of their activities. Warned by prime minister David Cameron on Tuesday that unless they accepted all…
The response to Leveson is less about media regulation and more about politics. EPA/Andy Rain

Forget the press, Leveson is all about politics

The good Lord Leveson has certainly set the cat among both the press and political pigeons. His elegantly crafted proposal for establishing a self-regulatory regime for the press, backed by statutory under-pinning…
British Prime Minister, David Cameron leaves 10 Downing street to give a statement on Lord Justice Leveson’s report. EPA/Facundo Arrizabalaga

Leveson report: late opening at the last chance saloon for David Cameron

Few public inquiries have been so closely followed by the British press, or its findings awaited by them with such nervous anticipation as Lord Leveson’s into their culture, practices and ethics. The waiting…
2GB staff involved in producing Jones’ show will have to attend training in factual accuracy. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

A very naughty parrot: ACMA sends Alan Jones back to school

Alan Jones will have to go to accuracy school. Reread that sentence a few times. Still can’t quite believe it? Today the Australian Communication and Media Authority released the terms of its agreement…
Certain types of media reporting may trigger further suicidal behaviours among vulnerable people. garryknight

The facts about safe reporting of suicide

The issue of media reporting of suicide was once again thrust into the spotlight this week, with mental health researcher, clinician and former Australian of the year Pat McGorry renewing his calls for…
The Convergence Review came close to understanding the nature of user-generated content but not quite. Flickr/Bruce Clay, Inc

Convergence Review: a bet each way on user-generated content

The Australian Federal Government’s Convergence Review, released yesterday, had a mammoth task. It was trying to establish just how to regulate the future standards, conduct, and technical aspects of today’s…
Dull grey tone: media organisations are “Content service enterprises”, according to the Convergence Review. AAP

Convergence Review: media business as usual

The Convergence Review’s final report is remarkable for its blandness and predictability. Despite the cries of fear and loathing from the Murdoch stable that the cold hand of government intervention was…

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