Not so special anymore: The demise of SBS television – An Audit discussion paper

posted: 1/02/2008

Author(s): Emma Dawson (Monash University) Category: - Audit paper; Public service/statutory bodies; Media download Monash University’s Emma Dawson assesses the state of SBS as a public broadcaster reflecting the concerns of ethnic Australia. Dawson discusses how SBS management has responded to being caught up in the culture wars, attempting to adequately respond to the interests of its viewers, and its political masters.

Not good news: Australia’s shrinking media freedoms    (published: 9/2007)	posted: 20/09/2007
Author(s): Norman Abjorensen (Australian National University) Category: - Audit paper; Media download The Audit’s Norman Abjorensen assesses the state of press freedom in Australia The paper is based on a chapter for the Audit’s forthcoming book, Australia: The State of Democracy which will be out next year.

The Haneef Case    (published: 7/2007)

posted: 22/07/2007

Author(s): James Jupp (Australian National University) Category: Accountability; Rights; Media download Following attempted terrorist attacks in the UK, a Gold Coast doctor has been charged with giving material assistance to a terrorist organisation—namely his mobile phone SIM card. Dr Haneef passed the card on to a second cousin 12 months ago when he was leaving the UK. Despite being granted bail by a magistrate.

New media laws and their impact on the bush    (published: 11/2006)

posted: 6/11/2006

Author(s): Peter Andren (Federal Independent Member for Calare) Category: - Audit paper; Accountability; Media download Peter Andren MP, the Independent member for Calare, considers the impact of the recent changes to media law on media diversity in rural areas. The laws, which will allow a single owner to control both television and newspapers in a particular market, will see, he says, an end to local content in rural areas.

Blair defeated over religious hatred laws

posted: 10/02/2006

Author(s): Category: Rights; Media; - Breaking news/external links The British Government was defeated in its attempt to introduce laws on religious hatred. The laws were designed to tighten a loophole that protects against discrimination and abuse against racial minorities, and covers Sikhs and Jews, but not Muslims. However, there were concerns that the laws would make legitimate criticism of faith, including much satire, illegal. A high profile campaign, which included high profile comedians such as Rowan Atkinson was waged against it. Ultimately though, despite a significant backbench revolt, the bill was defeated due to a miscalculation by the Labour Party Whips Office, who had thought it unnecessary to bring back a by-election campaign team for the vote. Ironically, the Government was defeated on one of the votes by just one, after the Prime Minister missed it. The first defeat, by 288 votes to 278, was aimed at ensuring the new laws would not affect the current racial hatred laws. The second vote, which the government lost by 283 votes to 282, said the law should only criminalise 'threatening' behaviour, not things which were just 'abusive and insulting'. It also means people can only be prosecuted if they intend to stir up hatred - not if they are merely 'reckless'. (No link)

Up, up & away in my beautiful balloon … some questions of media policy    (published: 9/2005)	posted: 1/09/2005
Author(s): Frank Morgan () Category: Media; - Audit paper download Frank Morgan responds to a recent speech by Senator Helen Coonan, Federal Minister for Communications, on proposals to change Australia’s media ownership laws. He discusses how new technology has changed the way we receive and digest news and information.

Whistleblowing and the media - transparency the biggest casualty    (published: 9/2005)

posted: 1/09/2005

Author(s): Helen Ester (Central Queensland University) Category: Media; Accountability; - Audit paper download Expanding on the issue of protection of sources, Helen Ester looks at a range of factors affecting the Press Gallery's role in public accountability. These include not only government pursuit of whistle-blowers but also a weak FOI regime making journalists overly dependent on leaks and a hollowing out of the press gallery, meaning many gallery journalists are relatively inexperienced.

Do Australians have equal protection against hate speech?    (published: 8/2005)

posted: 1/08/2005

Author(s): Simon Rice (Australian Lawyers for Human Rights) Category: Rights; Media; - Audit paper download Simon Rice examines the very different levels of protection against hate speech that exist in different Australian jurisdictions. He highlights Australia’s unfulfilled international obligation to legislate against religious vilification and the interesting stance adopted by the NSW government on the subject.

The role of the media in the public disclosure of electoral funding    (published: 12/2004)	posted: 1/12/2004
Author(s): Robin Tennant-Wood (Australian National University) Category: Media; Political Finance/Govt Advertising; - Audit paper      (pages: 11)   download Focusing on the issue of transparency and disclosure in party funding, or the seeming lack thereof, Robin Tennant-Wood of the ANU analyses the 'symbiotic relationship' between Australian political parties and the Australian media (PDF).

The leaders debate: How democratic?    (published: 9/2004)	posted: 16/09/2004
Author(s): John Uhr (Australian National University) Category: Media; Electoral; - Audit paper download Following his appearance on ABC’s Lateline program on Monday 13th September to discuss the 'great debate' between Prime Minister John Howard and Opposition Leader Mark Latham, John Uhr of the ANU provides further commentary on the state and future of leadership debates.

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