International Law

Press Council reform takes a hair-cut in tough times

"? Improve accountability of the media (Press Council). The media should be accountable to the public, including radio, television and media on the internet.
? Improve media diversity and accountability.
? Expand the role of the Press Council to: Strengthen and reinvigorate the
professionalism of journalists;Improved accountability; Review roles of Press Council in light of new media."

The idea at the Summit seems to have been that the media needed to get its act together and that a media wide industry body might help. However according to Mark Pearson in The Australian the only reform likely is a slimmer Press Council with a narrower focus following a proposal by News for a 33% budget cut. This follows a month after the Council's chairman proposed an expanded role, and a 36% increase in funding.

Full post as published by Open and Shut on May 11, 2009 (boomark / email).