Royal Commission into Media

As most of you know, studying is second nature to me. Halfway through my Graduate Certificate in Policy and Governance, I thought I'd share my first briefing note with you all - my assignment, a Royal Commission into Media, particularly Murdoch Media, concerns many Australians, here and abroad.

FULL LETTER TO: The Honourable Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications/ The Honourable Ms. Melissa McIntosh MP, Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese.

JSQ165 Briefing note M.A.Hobbs.pdf

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RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. A Bill for an Act to establish a Royal Commission into media diversity in Australia, and for

related purposes.

2. Agreement that the existing system of media regulation in Australia is not fit-for-purpose;

Regarding the concentration of media ownership, the impact of Australia’s media ownership

laws on media concentration and misinformation censorship, maladministration between

media and governance.

3. Agree that the existing relationship between the media and government in Australia could

lead to censorship, furthermore, maladministration via the abuse of Misinformation Laws.

4. Agree that the political and media relationship is marked by fear of retribution in the press,

which prevents the creation of public policy.

ISSUE

The Murdoch media presents a potential for real and perceived conflicts of interest, such as unequal access to decision-makers and media negotiations that suppress public interest disclosures (PID). A revolving door between public and private sector actors, where deals lack transparency, and ethical community legal obligations prevail, is undermined by unethical deals.

i) The government is completely ‘rudderless’ when it comes to media policy. Media

coverage can influence what issues are considered important by the public, which can in

turn shape the political agenda. A deterioration of the perceived democratic landscape

(supported by social research) has been observed, further stemming from misinformation laws.

ii) The lines between different media types in Australia are legislatively underdefined,

blurring the ethical and moral approach journalists can take to reporting at times in

general; Public Interest Disclosure Act (PID Act) reporting, and in particular reports

regarding politics.

iii) Maladministration stemming from the abuse of newly implemented misinformation

laws.