Press Freedom in Australia
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance have produced their annual report on Press Freedom in Australia. You can download the Report via Australian Policy Online here. Federal Secretary Chris Warren summarises the findings:
Were this to be a school report card, after years of under achievement this year’s card would still read: “Could do better”, but would note that: “Some positive signs started to appear before the end of last term … we hope for a marked improvement next year.”
The Alliance has high hopes about some constraints on press freedom loosening, like terror laws, suppression orders and sedition laws. They’re also hoping for positive reform on issues like Freedom of Information, Shield Laws to protect confidential sources, and defamation.
All of this is relevant to bloggers, especially those who are writing on political matters. For the most part, publication is publication is publication as far as the law is concerned. (We had to face these difficulties when we were running our citizen journalism projects).
Awareness of the restrictions on freedom of speech can save bloggers grief, legal action and, in the most extreme circumstance, jail time. It might also build an awareness that things are not what they might be as far as freedom of speech is concerned in this country, and perhaps even some momentum for change. This affects all of us - journos, bloggers, commenters and readers. Have a look.
(Disclosure: I am a member of the MEAA)
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Do the MEAA have a citizen journalist membership category and rate. When the WA Community Cabinet came to Broome? I had considerable difficulty getting some sort of accreditation from the Premier’s department to get basic info about who, what, when.
Hi Kevin. I think that given what I know about your history - doing media advice, journalism of various kinds etc. - the MEAA may be happy to have you as a freelance member (I’m pretty sure there’s a discounted rate for Freelances). I don’t think they haver a citizen journalist rate, but having their ID card is usually enough to get you into Press conferences etc. You can find the membership form here. But you might be better off contacting your branch - here’s the online contact form for the WA Branch.