The Federal Government has announced the establishment of an independent inquiry that will conduct an ongoing investigation into the Australian media.

 

Announcing the inquiry, the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy acknowledged the emerging difficulties and pressures brought on by the advent of digital technologies and the interconnectedness of the global media.

 

Senator Conroy announced that consolidated ownership of media in the country would be addressed by the Inquiry’s Convergence Review.

 

"The Convergence Review is taking a broad and considered approach to a range of regulatory issues across the broadcasting, telecommunications and radio-communications sectors," Senator Conroy said.

 

The Inquiry will provide its findings to the Convergence Review in early 2012.

 

The Inquiry’s panel will be appointed to inquire into the following issues:

 

  • The effectiveness of the current media codes of practice in Australia, particularly in light of technological change that is leading to the migration of print media to digital and online platforms;
  • The impact of this technological change on the business model that has supported the investment by traditional media organisations in quality journalism and the production of news, and how such activities can be supported, and diversity enhanced, in the changed media environment;
  • Ways of substantially strengthening the independence and effectiveness of the Australian Press Council, including in relation to on-line publications, and with particular reference to the handling of complaints;
  • Any related issues pertaining to the ability of the media to operate according to regulations and codes of practice, and in the public interest.

 

 

The panel will be required to provide a report to Government by 28 February 2012, while working with the Convergence Review committee to ensure that findings are able to be incorporated into the ultimate report of the Convergence Review by end March 2012.

 

The Federal Opposition has publically condemned the decision to establish the review, with Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull deriding the inquiry as the result of the Federal Government pandering to the Greens.