Publishers meet to strengthen council

AS INDUSTRY opposition to a recommended new statutory News Media Council mounts, publishers met to discuss bolstering the Australian Press Council.

By InvestSMART · 9 Mar 2012

By InvestSMART ·
9 Mar 2012

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AS INDUSTRY opposition to a recommended new statutory News Media Council mounts, publishers met to discuss bolstering the Australian Press Council.

In a review of press standards released to the federal government last week, former federal court judge Ray Finkelstein declared self-regulation a failure and called for scrapping the APC in favour of a statutory government-funded watchdog, which would also govern standards for broadcast and online media over a certain size.

News media organisations have attacked the recommendations, and the APC yesterday met senior executives from Fairfax Media (owner of The Age), News Ltd, APN and West Australian News. In its submission to the review, the APC, which is funded by publishers, said it had insufficient funding to quickly deal with complaints. The council has annual funding of about $1 million.

With the threat of an alternative complaints body, the APC meeting yesterday failed to come to a conclusion about how to strengthen the council, in part by boosting its funding, but also in its operating structure. But talks were said to be "productive".

The APC is also attempting to persuade publishers to drop the practice of asking complainants to waive their rights to sue if they want the council to adjudicate.

Council chairman Professor Julian Disney described it as a "useful discussion", while industry representative Newspaper Works said "the group expressed its commitment to strong self-regulation of the industry by the Press Council".

"[Yesterday's] meeting has been productive and we will continue these discussions on how best to substantially strengthen the Press Council to meet the expectations of the public and the industry," it added.

The APC is also working on a new fee structure to encourage participation by online-only media groups. At the moment only one online group, the Property Review, comes under its watch.

The Gillard government is expected to respond to the Finkelstein review after it receives a final report on media convergence, due at the end of this month.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What did the Finkelstein review recommend about press regulation in Australia?

The Finkelstein review, led by former federal court judge Ray Finkelstein, said self-regulation had failed and recommended scrapping the Australian Press Council in favour of a statutory, government-funded News Media Council that would also set standards for broadcast and large online media outlets.

Which publishers met with the Australian Press Council to discuss strengthening self-regulation?

Senior executives from major publishers attended the meeting with the Press Council, including Fairfax Media (owner of The Age), News Ltd, APN and West Australian News, alongside industry representative Newspaper Works.

Why are publishers talking about boosting the Australian Press Council now?

Publishers met because industry opposition to a proposed statutory News Media Council is growing. The Press Council says it needs more funding and changes to its operating structure to respond faster to complaints and to present a strong case for continued self-regulation.

How is the Australian Press Council funded and what funding issues were raised?

The Press Council is funded by publishers and has about $1 million a year in funding. The council told the review it currently lacks sufficient funds to deal quickly and effectively with complaints, prompting calls to boost funding.

What complaints-process changes is the Press Council seeking from publishers?

The Press Council is trying to persuade publishers to stop asking complainants to waive their right to sue if they want the council to adjudicate, a practice that can discourage people from using the council’s dispute process.

Will online-only media be included under the Press Council’s remit?

The Press Council is working on a new fee structure to encourage participation by online-only media groups. At present only one online group, the Property Review, is under the council’s watch.

Did the meeting between publishers and the Press Council reach a decision on how to strengthen the council?

No final decision was reached. The meeting failed to come to a conclusion about specific reforms, although it was described as "productive" and participants committed to continuing discussions about strengthening the council’s funding and operations.

What is the government’s next step on media regulation and when is it expected?

The Gillard government is expected to respond to the Finkelstein review after it receives a final report on media convergence, which is due at the end of the month.