Public interest journalism exposes corruption and wrongdoers, and holds the powerful to account. But it is increasingly under threat, and we need to find ways to protect it.
Television shows that reveal politicians in a different light, such as Channel Ten’s The Project, or the ABC’s Kitchen Cabinet or Q&A, are vital outlets for them to convey their messages.
In a time of slippery weasel words and ‘alternative facts’, we are delighted to see the return of the ABC fact-checking unit in collaboration with RMIT.
The Turnbull government is engaged in a media reform process that is all about the sideshow – not forward-thinking policy with the public interest in mind.
The decision to refuse the ARC and academic researchers a right of reply appears to be a straightforward breach of the News Corp Australia code of conduct.
A generation on from revelations about the lack of diversity in the Australian media at the dawn of the digital era, what is pushing this concern now? And what’s changed since then?
The internet and social media have expanded the potential for more enduring forms of non-judicial punishment by way of continued denigration, humiliation and abuse.
An ACMA investigation of Andrew Bolt raises questions of fair and accurate reporting, the clash over facts, fair comment and the right of readers and viewers to be fully informed.
Given newspapers’ continued role as the main provider of new news every day, and the amplifying effect of social media, their potential to influence the body politic remains substantial.
The ABC’s new chief, who took over last week, has identified improving diversity at the broadcaster as a top priority. This is long overdue - the BBC has already tackled the issue from the top down.