Australian media strategy
Lanai Scarr
The Daily Telegraph
March 16, 201312:00AM
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Stephen Conroy
‘Gun to the head’
Conroy’s consultation claim ‘b…
‘Rise up to defend free speech…
Communications Minister Senator Stephen Conroy / Pic: Ray Strange Source: The Australian
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‘Gun to the head’
News Limited CEO Kim Williams criticises Senator Stephen Conroy’s proposed media law reforms
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Conroy’s consultation claim ‘bollocks’
News Limited CEO Kim Williams says Senator Conroy’s one week deadline for media law reform is insulting
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‘Rise up to defend free speech’
News Limited CEO Kim Williams says free speech isn’t a gift from government, it’s a gift from democracy
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THE Human Rights Commission is examining if the Gillard government’s new media laws breach UN freedom of speech rules.
As Australian of The Year Ita Buttrose slammed the controversial reforms, the commission was raking over them with a fine-tooth comb to see if they impinged on any international treaties.
It is understood the investigation centres on whether an article of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which concerns freedom of expression, is breached by the laws.
A commission spokesman said the review was part of normal processes for high-profile legislation in parliament and would be finalised early next week.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s reforms propose a government-appointed enforcer and sanctions which, if utilised, would remove exemptions from the Privacy Act for media organisations – which would have the effect of gagging reporting.
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Chances of the reforms passing the lower house looked increasingly unlikely last night, with Senator Conroy staying firm on comments that he would not “barter” on the legislation.
Labor wants the reforms passed next week and needs to secure the support of at least five of the seven crossbenchers, all of whom have significant concerns about aspects of the bill. Independent MP Andrew Wilkie said last night that Senator Conroy had maintained his stance on no bartering during private discussions.
Former Labor MP turned independent Craig Thomson has said he won’t support the bill and independent Rob Oakeshott said the legislation was unlikely to get his support.
The Punch: Media reform may run out of puff
Maverick north Queensland independent Bob Katter said he wanted to see the planned Public Interest Media Advocate be appointed by a board of journalists and community advocates before he supported the bill.
The Greens remain undecided.
On Monday two committees will kick off inquiries into several aspects of the legislation.
Meanwhile, Ms Buttrose said there were already enough regulatory authorities.
“The public should be the ultimate arbiter,” she said. “If they feel we’ve done the wrong thing they switch us off or don’t buy us.”
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said yesterday Labor wanted to use its media reforms to create a government “advertising agency”.
Mr Abbott said the government was trying to “bully the papers” out of criticising it.
“A government which wakes up in the morning, reads the press and is universally satisfied is a government that doesn’t understand the duty of the press,” he said.
“The duty of the press is to be a critic, not to be a cheer squad.”