Australian Press Council: Difference between revisions
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The current chairman is Professor David Weisbrot AM. The inaugural chairman of the Australian Press Council was Sir [[Frank Kitto]]. He was followed by Geoffrey Sawer, [[Hal Wootten]], [[David Flint]], Dennis Pearce, [[Ken McKinnon]] and Julian Disney. On 8 December 2014, the Press Council announced that David Weisbrot would replace Julian Disney when he stepped down at the end of February 2015, after five years in the position. |
The current chairman is Professor David Weisbrot AM. The inaugural chairman of the Australian Press Council was Sir [[Frank Kitto]]. He was followed by Geoffrey Sawer, [[Hal Wootten]], [[David Flint]], Dennis Pearce, [[Ken McKinnon]] and Julian Disney. On 8 December 2014, the Press Council announced that David Weisbrot would replace Julian Disney when he stepped down at the end of February 2015, after five years in the position. |
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In 1979, during the run-up to the South Australian state election, the Murdoch-owned The News campaigned against the Australian Labor Party in South Australia. A successful complaint was heard in relation to which the News Limited representatives alleged contained irregular procedures, leading the News to withdraw from the Council in 1980. |
In 1979, during the run-up to the South Australian state election, the Murdoch-owned The News campaigned against the Australian Labor Party in South Australia. A successful complaint was heard in relation to which the News Limited representatives alleged contained irregular procedures, leading the News to withdraw from the Council in 1980. News re-joined the Press Council in 1987, but, as the single most important source of funding, its relationship with the body has been fraught.[see Criticisms by News Corp, below] |
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The media union, now known as the MEAA, withdrew from the Press Council for nineteen years. It was not a member between 1986 and 2005. |
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In 2012, Seven West Media, publisher of The West Australian, withdrew from the Press Council and set up its own complaints body, the Independent Media Council, to handle complaints against its print and publications and websites. The company cited its unwillingness to fund a substantially strengthened Press Council. |
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==Reform== |
==Reform== |
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Revision as of 00:46, 30 June 2015
The Australian Press Council (APC) was established in 1976 and is responsible for promoting good standards of media practice, community access to information of public interest, and freedom of expression through the media. The council is also the principal body with responsibility for responding to complaints about Australasian newspapers, magazines and associated digital outlets.[1][2]
Regulation of broadcast media in Australia is conducted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
The APC was only established after the Federal Government began preparation of legislation to create a government authority to ensure accountability in 1975.[1]
In accordance with its Constitution, the Council pursues its goals by:
- considering and dealing with complaints and concerns about material in newspapers, magazines and journals, published either in print or on the internet;
- encouraging and supporting initiatives to address the causes for reader's complaints and concerns;
- keeping under review, and where appropriate, challenging developments which may adversely affect the dissemination of information of public interest and may consequently threaten the public's right to know;
- making representations to governments, public inquiries and other forums as appropriate on matters concerning freedom of speech and access to information;
- undertaking research and consultation on developments in public policy affecting freedom of speech, and promoting;
- promoting an understanding of the roles and activities of the Council through forums and consultations; and encouraging feedback for Council's consideration [1][2]
The Council is funded by its publisher members in the newspaper and magazine industries.[2] It relies on publishers and editors to respect the Council's standards and decisions, to adhere voluntarily to standards of good practice and to publish adjudications the result from complaints made against them. It has no legal or legislative power to fine or penalise the press.[3]
Functions
The Council's standards of good media practice are contained in its Statements of Principles, Specific Standards and Advisory Guidelines. The standards are applied by the Council when considering complaints and are used as the basis for statements by Council representatives about good media practice, whether addressing practitioners within the industry, journalism students or the broader community. The Council also undertakes research and convenes conferences and seminars on aspects of media standards.
The Council's Statement of General Principles was substantially revised in 2014.[2]
The Council's mandate to consider complaints extend to all print publications and related digital outlets, such as websites, of publishers which are "constituent bodies" of the Council. Publications by these publishers comprise about 90 percent of all print media sales in Australia.
The Council also issues statements on policy matters within its areas of interest, including through submissions to parliamentary committees, commissions and other public bodies. It also undertakes research and convenes or participates in conferences and seminars on policy issues.
Members
The Australian Press Council has 25 members, comprising[2]:
- an independent Chair and 10 "public members", who have no affiliations with a media organisation;
- ten nominees of media organisations which are "constituent bodies" of the council;
- four independent journalist members, who are not employed by a media organisation.
The Chair is chosen by the Council and has always been a Judge or a University Professor. The public members and independent journalist members are appointed by the Council on the nomination of the Chair. The nominees of publishers are chosen by the media organisations which have agreed to support the Council and be subject to its complaints system. All members are expected to act and vote as individuals, not as representatives of any organisation or interest.[2] It meets quarterly, usually in Sydney or elsewhere in Australia from time to time. It is headed on Administrative and other matters by an Executive Secretary.[2]
The current chairman is Professor David Weisbrot AM. The inaugural chairman of the Australian Press Council was Sir Frank Kitto. He was followed by Geoffrey Sawer, Hal Wootten, David Flint, Dennis Pearce, Ken McKinnon and Julian Disney. On 8 December 2014, the Press Council announced that David Weisbrot would replace Julian Disney when he stepped down at the end of February 2015, after five years in the position.
In 1979, during the run-up to the South Australian state election, the Murdoch-owned The News campaigned against the Australian Labor Party in South Australia. A successful complaint was heard in relation to which the News Limited representatives alleged contained irregular procedures, leading the News to withdraw from the Council in 1980. News re-joined the Press Council in 1987, but, as the single most important source of funding, its relationship with the body has been fraught.[see Criticisms by News Corp, below]
The media union, now known as the MEAA, withdrew from the Press Council for nineteen years. It was not a member between 1986 and 2005.
In 2012, Seven West Media, publisher of The West Australian, withdrew from the Press Council and set up its own complaints body, the Independent Media Council, to handle complaints against its print and publications and websites. The company cited its unwillingness to fund a substantially strengthened Press Council.
Reform
The APC has been criticised for being unwilling to censor its members in anything more than a minor manner when guidelines are breached by its members.[4] The chairman of Australian Consolidated Press, Kerry Packer described the Council as "window dressing" at a 1991 parliamentary inquiry into the print media.[1]
Former chair of the Council, Professor Dennis Pearce, told the Finkelstein Media Inquiry that the authority was overly influenced by concerns of losing its sponsors and that the industry was reluctant to fund its own watchdog.[5] Another former chairman, Ken McKinnon supported calls for the APC to have a stronger role and be better resourced, instead of statutory regulation.[6] The Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown has described the APC as a "hollow vessel" and supports reform towards a statutory body with better funding.[7]
The Australian Press Council wants to see its role expand into regulation of news and current affairs commentary across all platforms, including radio, television and internet including blogs.[8]
Complaints
To carry out its latter function, it serves as a forum to which the public may take a complaint concerning the press.[2] Complaints are dealt with by a Complaints Committee which conducts hearings on complaints through a procedure which is free and accessible.[9] Rulings can be subject to appeal.
The APC accepts complaints about magazines, newspapers or periodicals which are printed or published in Australia, regardless of whether or not that organisation is affiliated with the Council.[9]
The Council regularly deals with complaints regarding racially offensive material against Aboriginals. In their 1996 Annual Report the Council reaffirmed its belief that although some editorials may give offence, newspapers have a right to express forthright opinions.[10]
In 1979, during the run-up to the South Australian state election, the Murdoch owned The News campaigned against the Australian Labor Party in South Australia. A successful complaint was heard by the APC which News Limited representatives alleged contained irregular procedures, leading the News to withdraw from the Council.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Schultz, Julianne (1998). Reviving the Fourth Estate: Democracy, Accountability and the Media. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. p. 114. ISBN 0-521-62042-2. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h About the Council, Australian Press Council website
- ^ The media, politics and public life, Geoffrey Craig, p. 40
- ^ One regulator to rule them all.... Media Watch. Episode 32, 2011. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Belinda Merhab (9 November 2011). "Press watchdog has no bite, inquiry told". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
- ^ Katharine Murphy (11 November 2011). "Fairfax warns on freedom". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Tim Dick (2 November 2011). "Media must curb corrosive corporate influence, Brown tells inquiry". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Mark Day (22 August 2011). "The Press Council has plans to expand powers". The Australia. News Limited. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ a b Jones, Melinda (1997). "The Legal Response: dealing with hatred — a user's guide". In Cunneen, Chris; Fraser, David; Tomsen, Stephen (eds.). Hate Crime in Australia. Annandale, New South Wales: Hawkins Press. p. 226. ISBN 1-876067-05-5. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Elder, Catriona (1998). "Racialising Reports of men's violence Against Women in the Print Media". In Howe, Adrian (ed.). Sexed Crime in the News. Annandale, New South Wales: The Federation Press. p. 23. ISBN 1-86287-274-0. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ^ Cryle, Dennis (2008). Murdoch's Flagship: Twenty Five Years of the Australian Newspaper. Carlton Victoria: Melbourne University Press. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-0-522-85674-3. Retrieved 11 November 2011.