Using a public interest test to manage media diversity is problematic — but it’s a popular option.
Public interest test
The rules of the game for media regulation
It pays to be careful when it comes to regulating the media. Here are some tips for the recent entrants in the game of “Regulate the Press”.
Fewer and stronger moguls — the product of our current media ownership laws
Under our current media ownership restrictions, we’ve lost a lot of media diversity and our moguls have been allowed to deepen their hold on Australian media. A national media diversity test could still help.
MacCormack: Nup, I still can’t see the need for a public interest test
I’ve read yesterday’s piece by Julian Thomas on a public interest test for media mergers several times and, dullard that I am, I can’t work out why his arguments in any way justify such a policy, writes David MacCormack.
Why a public interest test for media mergers is a good idea
Why is a public interest test for media a good way to stop further concentration? Here are three very simple reasons, writes Julian Thomas.
Public interest test? How about some media policy debate in the real world
If you think a public interest test would add anything to our media regulatory framework, you’d have to believe in Santa Claus, writes David MacCormack.
Moves to define “journalism” in the eyes of the law
Astonishingly there is no definition of journalism in Australian law. That’s one of the revelations in the ALRC’s paper on privacy law reform and it’s of great relevance because the Commission wants to define journalism in a way that will reduce the media’s capacity to report freely.
