1027:
vendettas and parade its own paranoia…. More importantly, this whole unpleasant episode demonstrates the hypocrisies that underpin the media self-regulation construct in
Australia. In response to the perceived threats of the Finkelstein Inquiry and the Convergence Review, newspaper proprietors rushed to 'strengthen' the Press Council's authority and increase its funding. Now we have proof that this was all window dressing. If the APC's processes and findings don't suit a powerful member such as News Corp, it refuses to play by the rules and trashes the chair's reputation. Self-regulation is no regulation at all.
22:
400:
269:, the Press Council dismissed the complaint citing "Freedom of Expression". In 2015 and several times in 2017, under the leadership of Executive Director John Pender, the Australian Press Council inexplicably dismissed complaints about articles containing obviously gratuitous references to a person's transgender status, often directly contradicting decisions in similar adjudications and well-settled international media ethics principles.
298:"When considered at its highest, I am satisfied that the comparators relied upon by the Applicant establishes that, when comparing those matters which involve transgender and non-transgender grounds, there is prima facie evidence of a different decision-making practice by the (Australian Press Council), demonstrating that less favourable treatment is accorded to a complaint of transgender discrimination."
253:
President Karen Percy said "It is MEAA's view that unfortunately the Press
Council is no longer fit-for-purpose for the modern cross-platform media industry." However, MEAA continues to have a representative on Council as, under the rules of the APC, four years notice to withdraw must be given. The MEAA will complete its exit of the Australian Press Council in 2025.
134:
The
Council's standards of good media practice are contained in its Statements of Principles, Specific Standards and Advisory Guidelines. The standards are applied by the Council when considering complaints and are used as the basis for statements by Council representatives about good media practice,
1057:
There's always, over the years, been tensions way back to the start of the
Council, not only with News Corp but with Fairfax from time to time. News pulled out only four years into the life of the Council, when the Chair was a High Court judge. So these tensions come and go, and I think they're felt
1026:
The
Australian has turned its particular brand of venom on Julian Disney, chair of the Press Council....Self-regulation, at least in the ethical fantasyland of News Corp, is only a worthwhile system of media accountability so long as it doesn't inquire into the abuse of a newspaper's power to pursue
200:
David
Weisbrot chaired the Australian Press Council from March 2015 to July 2017, focusing on expanding membership, including from Indigenous and multicultural press, and strengthening the Council's role in defending press freedom. Key initiatives included creating a strategic plan, a reconciliation
281:
In 2017, the
Australian Press Council began experiencing legal complaints of transgender discrimination. The organisation's 2018-2019 annual report stated that "Council vigorously defended its processes." Press Council Chair Neville Stephen's foreword in the organisation's Annual Report stated that
204:
Weisbrot introduced an IT system for handling complaints, revamped the Press
Freedom Medals, and promoted diversity in leadership. Weisbrot emphasized a cultural shift towards collegiality and continuous learning over punishing individual journalistic transgressions. He resigned in July 2017, with
138:
The
Council's mandate to consider complaints extends to all print publications and related digital outlets, such as websites, of publishers which are "constituent bodies" of the council. These publications comprise about 90 percent of all print and online outlets in Australia representing some 850
282:
the
Council elected to "divert significant resources in this period to defend legal proceedings about its processes and decisions" rather than work with acutely vulnerable transgender groups to improve reporting standards. In 2021, a corpus linguistics analysis by the Professor Alex Garcia at the
213:
The Australian Press Council appointed Neville Stevens as its new chair effective 22 January 2018. Stevens had wide experience chairing panels and reviews in the private and public sectors and was a distinguished former public servant who headed two major Australian government departments, one of
383:
expressed a lack of confidence in Disney and condemned the Council's direction. David Salter, former Media Watch producer, argued that News Corp's criticisms revealed the flaws in media self-regulation, suggesting that News Corp only supported self-regulation when it served its interests. Julian
272:
On 1 June, 2019, the Australian Press Council rejected a complaint about material that invited Australian transgender children to believe that they are "mutilated". In Adjudication 1795, the Australian Press Council dismissed a complaint which ridiculed a transgender person and trivialised and
507:
We urgently need to move away from the system of punishing individual transgressions in our industry and feeling that such action alone maintains high standards across the entire profession. While the need to identify and sanction poor practice will remain, there are much better strategies for
167:
The independent Chair is appointed by the Council. The Public Members and Independent Journalist Members are appointed by the Council on the nomination of the Chair. The nominees of publishers are chosen by the media organisations which have agreed to support the Council and be subject to its
252:
MEAA Media Federal President Marcus Strom said that the arbitrations by the Australian Press Council had been "inconsistent, slow, and increasingly out of touch with community expectations", also citing lack of consequences and publishers completely ignoring adjudication outcomes. MEAA Vice
139:
mastheads. The Council also issues statements on policy matters within its areas of interest, including through submissions to parliamentary committees, commissions and other public bodies. It also undertakes research and convenes or participates in conferences and seminars on policy issues.
82:
The Council has no legal authority to regulate the press, or to impose fines or other penalties. It relies on the press to voluntarily adhere to its standards of conduct and decisions, and to publish its adjudications of complaints. The Council is funded by its member publishers in the
277:
found that the words implied in the Press Council's Adjudication "suggests that state funded medical treatment should be denied to the individual, specifically on the basis of their transgender status" and that the impugned article "calls for violence against transgender people...".
307:
The Council has in the past been criticised for being unable to censure its members in anything more than a minor manner when standards are breached and for being a "toothless tiger" as a result of being funded by the publishers whose work it is meant to evaluate.
358:, the media union (MEAA) and the other publisher members of the council agreed to specific funding commitments for the three years, with subsequent commitments to be agreed at least two to three years in advance, all of which have since lapsed.
286:
Corpus Linguistics Laboratory found that transgender Australians are "Bombarded by outright harassment in the Australian Press" and that the Australian Press Council processes and procedures failed to uphold responsible reporting standards.
353:
In the wake of the Finkelstein Media Inquiry, publishers agreed on a major strengthening of the Press Council. Funding was raised from $ 0.8 million to $ 1.6 million in 2012-13 and $ 1.8 million in the following year. News Corp Australia,
986:
The APC has become erratic in its rulings, unmoored from its foundations, ponderous and serpentine in its procedures, side-tracked by its chairman's peculiar tastes and political predilections and ineffective as a body that promotes good
264:
In 2013, the Australian Press Council dismissed a complaint about an article which unfairly and inaccurately associated transgender Australians with sex offenders. Seeming to overlook the well-settled 'harm minimisation' principle of
376:, published a series of more than 20 articles and editorials highly critical of the Press Council’s activities and leadership. The newspaper accused the Council of overstepping its mandate and issuing questionable adjudications.
327:
135:
whether addressing practitioners within the industry, journalism students or the broader community. The council also undertakes research and convenes conferences and seminars on aspects of media standards.
121:
keeping under review, and where appropriate, challenging developments which may adversely affect the dissemination of information of public interest and may consequently threaten the public's right to know;
78:
of public interest, and freedom of expression through the media. The Council is the leading industry organisation for responding to complaints about Australian newspapers, magazines and digital outlets.
480:
160:
nominees of media organisations, including major publishers of newspapers and magazines; a nominee for small publishers, as well as a nominee for the principal union for employees in the media industry
142:
The APC receives more than 700 complaints each year. About three-quarters of those which are fully pursued by the complainant result in a correction, apology or some other form of action being taken.
249:(MEAA) also withdrew from the Press Council in 1986 but rejoined in 2005. The organisation withdrew once again in 2021, citing deep frustrations and dissatisfaction with the self-regulatory scheme.
919:
261:
Throughout 2010-2023, LGBTI peak bodies in Australia have repeatedly questioned whether the Australian Press Council treats complaints about LGBTI topics and individuals less favourably.
294:
handed down a decision concerning an application for transgender discrimination, finding that the APC treats complaints about transgender subjects and individuals less favourably:
1095:
The Press Council reaffirms its confidence in the Chair and rejects the recent misrepresentations made by the Australian about the chair and the council," the resolution said
324:
273:
promoted extreme and gratuitous violence on the basis of their transgender status, claiming the article amounted to mere "humour". In subsequent legal proceedings, the
952:
334:
that the authority was overly influenced by concerns of losing its sponsors and that the industry was reluctant to fund its own watchdog. Another former Chairman,
237:, withdrew from the APC and set up its own complaints body, the Independent Media Council, to handle complaints against its print and publications and websites.
1014:
491:
130:
promoting an understanding of the roles and activities of the council through forums and consultations; and encouraging feedback for Council's consideration.
580:
124:
making representations to governments, public inquiries and other forums as appropriate on matters concerning freedom of speech and access to information;
115:
considering and dealing with complaints and concerns about material in newspapers, magazines and journals, published either in print or on the internet;
1071:
905:
926:
291:
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Disney acknowledged historical tensions between News Corp and the APC. The Press Council responded by reaffirming support for Disney and condemning
974:
100:
842:
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770:
520:
1143:
1138:
192:, Julian Disney and David Weisbrot. The current Chair of the Australian Press Council is Neville Stevens (effective 22 January 2018).
1128:
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The newspaper accused the APC of erratic rulings, inefficiency, and being influenced by the chair, Julian Disney's personal biases.
623:
601:
890:
274:
246:
323:
at a 1991 parliamentary inquiry into the print media. A former chair of the council, Professor Dennis Pearce, told the
873:
1153:
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complaints system. It meets quarterly, and is headed on administrative and other matters by an Executive Director.
338:
supported calls for the APC to have a stronger role and be better resourced, instead of statutory regulation. The
127:
undertaking research and consultation on developments in public policy affecting freedom of speech, and promoting;
266:
999:
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43:
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34:
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more strongly in some parts of an organisation than others, and sometimes there are other pressures.
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encouraging and supporting initiatives to address the causes for reader's complaints and concerns;
39:
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74:) was established in 1976 with the goal of promoting high standards of media practice, community
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8:
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233:
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Media releases, statements, articles, interviews - Selected media reports and interviews
645:
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achieving industry-wide improvement, and reassuring the community that this is the case.
993:
670:
558:
Media releases, statements, articles, interviews - APC media releases and announcements
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Media releases, statements, articles, interviews - APC media releases and announcements
413:
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a Vice-Chair and other public members who have no affiliation with a media organisation
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In 2012, in response to frustrations about the inefficacy of the regulatory scheme,
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771:"Transgender people in the Australian press: "Bombarded by outright harassment""
368:
920:"Media Release - Publishers Agree on Major Strengthening of the Press Council"
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521:"Statement on the resignation of Press Council Chair Prof David Weisbrot AM"
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335:
316:
189:
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independent journalist members who are not employed by a media organisation
21:
185:
181:
177:
1072:"Major publishers support press council chairman against the Australian"
925:. Australian Press Council - Media Release. 5 April 2012. Archived from
554:"Statement on the appointment of Press Council Chair Neville Stevens AO"
343:
84:
1041:"ABC Radio National - Richard Aedy with Council Chair Julian Disney"
906:"Media must curb corrosive corporate influence, Brown tells inquiry"
1015:"Smelling an adverse ruling, The Australian turns on Press Council"
860:
Reviving the Fourth Estate: Democracy, Accountability and the Media
88:
1111:
864:. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. pp.
624:"Journalists' union gives notice to quit Australian Press Council"
602:"Journalists' union gives notice to quit Australian Press Council"
435:
350:
and supports reform towards a statutory body with better funding.
111:
The APC is tasked under its Constitution to pursue its goals by:
201:
action plan, and an international conference on press freedom.
214:
them dealing with telecommunications, media and broadcasting.
205:
Neville Stevens appointed as the new chair in January 2018.
953:"Press Council leadership out of touch with the real world"
527:. Australian Press Council. 21 June 2017. Archived from
388:
for factual inaccuracies and breaching confidentiality.
827:. 2011 – via Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
91:
industries, receiving the majority of its funding from
845:– via The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media).
436:"About the Council - Australian Press Council Website"
217:
395:
908:– via Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media).
634:– via Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
612:– via Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
467:"Standards of Practice - Australian Press Council"
361:
801:New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal
292:New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal
1120:
453:"What we do - Australian Press Council Website"
581:"A shame Seven West should quit press council"
63:Self-regulatory body of Australian print media
101:Australian Communications and Media Authority
746:"Australian Press Council Adjudication 1795"
721:"Australian Press Council Adjudication 1709"
696:"Australian Press Council Adjudication 1707"
671:"Australian Press Council Adjudication 1650"
646:"Australian Press Council Adjudication 1586"
560:. Australian Press Council. 13 December 2017
843:"Press watchdog has no bite, inquiry told"
972:
481:"Chair's Address to Melbourne Press Club"
150:The Australian Press Council comprises:
855:
176:The first chair of the council was Sir
1121:
1012:
889:Murphy, Katharine (11 November 2011).
888:
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208:
195:
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275:NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal
247:Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance
180:. He was followed by Geoffrey Sawer,
1038:
903:
893:– via Fairfax Media - The Age.
822:"One regulator to rule them all ..."
797:"Southey v Australian Press Council"
548:
546:
447:
445:
430:
428:
15:
1149:Consumer organisations in Australia
1134:Australian journalism organisations
950:
841:Merhab, Belinda (9 November 2011).
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302:
99:in Australia is the purview by the
13:
1070:Meade, Amanda (1 September 2014).
1047:. Australian Press Council Website
1006:
975:"Press Council runs off the rails"
912:
849:
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490:. 1 September 2014. Archived from
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218:Inefficacy and Member Frustrations
14:
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1144:Organizations established in 1976
1139:Mass media complaints authorities
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1039:Aedy, Richard (5 February 2015).
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1129:1976 establishments in Australia
1013:Salter, David (11 August 2014).
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362:Criticisms by News Corp in 2014
267:Journalism ethics and standards
951:Day, Mark (8 September 2014).
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1:
904:Dick, Tim (2 November 2011).
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313:Australian Consolidated Press
222:
984:– via The Australian.
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7:
973:Editorial (9 August 2014).
962:– via The Australian.
590:– via The Australian.
391:
346:has described the APC as a
171:
95:. Government regulation of
33:to comply with Knowledge's
10:
1170:
998:: CS1 maint: url-status (
891:"Fairfax warns on freedom"
856:Schultz, Julianne (1998).
579:Day, Mark (9 April 2012).
366:Beginning in August 2014,
145:
325:Finkelstein Media Inquiry
319:described the council as
750:Australian Press Council
725:Australian Press Council
700:Australian Press Council
675:Australian Press Council
650:Australian Press Council
488:Australian Press Council
68:Australian Press Council
46:may contain suggestions.
31:may need to be rewritten
1154:Regulation in Australia
825:Media Watch. Episode 32
330:27 January 2021 at the
311:The former Chairman of
240:
76:access to information
1024:– via Crikey.
372:newspaper, owned by
290:On 24 May 2023, The
374:News Corp Australia
234:The West Australian
209:Stevens appointment
196:Weisbrot leadership
497:on 2 November 2021
414:Media of Australia
775:Sydney Corpus Lab
531:on 18 August 2017
340:Australian Greens
321:"window dressing"
284:Sydney University
188:, Dennis Pearce,
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35:quality standards
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1112:Official website
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40:You can help
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655:7 September
186:David Flint
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178:Frank Kitto
1123:Categories
564:29 January
420:References
223:Seven West
1084:0261-3077
994:cite news
987:practice.
535:10 August
344:Bob Brown
107:Functions
85:newspaper
44:talk page
501:6 August
392:See also
342:Senator
328:Archived
172:Chairman
89:magazine
1089:31 July
154:a Chair
146:Members
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42:. The
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