Close to 500 changes in news production identified
Australia’s news landscape has seen 494 changes in news production nationally since 1 January 2019, according to PIJI’s latest quarterly Australian Newsroom Mapping Project Report shows. This represents a net change of -152.
The data identifies 29 local government areas with no local publisher news outlets. One local government area was added to this list in the September quarter, and two local government areas were removed.
The September monthly data shows 1214 print, digital, radio and television outlets listed on the Australian News Index.
Read the full September and quarterly report on our website.
Regional News Media 2023 report
The University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Media Transition second report into regional news media reveals declining coverage of Australia’s remote areas. Co-authored by PIJI Head of Research Gary Dickson, the report found “a declining level of coverage of rural and regional Australia in metro media in the 2022–23 study period compared to 2021–22”, and “significant changes to the regional media landscape in the period 2022–23”.
Minister’s address to the National Press Club
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland addressed the National Press Club on Wednesday 22 November. Her speech focused on the government’s efforts to address online safety.
Visit the PIJI website for more details.
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill extension
On 10 November, the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee inquiring into the Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023 received an extension of time for its report. The report is now set to be delivered by 30 April 2024.
PIJI has made a submission to the inquiry. Read our submission here.
For more information on the Inquiry, visit the website.
PIJI submission to the Review of options to support the national broadcasters’ independence recommends economic and journalistic benchmarks
PIJI was pleased to have the opportunity to provide a response to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts’ Review of options to support the national broadcasters’ independence.
Read our full submission to the Review of options to support the national broadcasters’ independence on our website, and find updates on the Review, and read other public submissions, on the Department’s website.
Government to revise misinformation laws: reports
The Federal Government will revise its proposed misinformation laws, according to media reporting.
The legislation is now likely to be introduced to Parliament in the first half of 2024, as the government works through suggestions from interested parties.
PIJI has made a submission to the Department on the draft legislation. Our submission has not yet been made public; we will release it in due course.
Read more about the legislation online.
News from the sector
A snapshot of some of news and events from our colleagues in the sector:
- Executive Director of the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom, journalist and press freedom advocate Peter Greste, spoke recently at the National Press Club. Watch the address online, or read a transcript of the address on Crikey.
- Edmund Tadros and Neil Chenoweth of the Australian Financial Review won the 2023 Gold Walkley for their reporting entitled ‘PwC Tax Leaks Scandal’. Investigative journalists Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie were awarded a special prize, the Walkley Honour for Media Freedom, in recognition of their Ben Roberts-Smith work. For the full list of winners, visit the Walkley Foundation website.