| |
The Council's Public Activities
In addition, to its activities of dealing with complaints, the Council is mandated by its Constitution to make representations on free speech issues. It also oversights the print media's Privacy Standards under the federal Privacy Act.
In furtherance of its objects, the Press Council is involved in a number of activities which bring its closer to the public, enable it to validate its processes and stimulate discussion of relevant issues. Among the ways it does this are:
- maintains a full-time office in Sydney;
- makes regular visits to locations outside Sydney - the next being to the Gold Coast on May 7 and 8, 2009, for its regular meetings and a public forum;
- convenes public forums on issues of interest to the press, open to the public and featuring prominent experts in the field (and publishes transcripts of the forums as Conference Papers).
The most recent forum featured two high-profile journalists, Chris Masters and Sean Dorney, speaking on how journalists get the story despite government obstruction, spin and threats to sources. Co-sponsored by Bond University, the forum on investigative journalism was held at Bond University on May 7 from 6pm. There were two addresses:
Chris Masters spoke about Investigating investigative journalism. The former Four Corners' reporter, whose reports exposed corruption in Queensland and NSW, examines key components of his craft: research, narrative, sources and spin. He will look at the obstacles placed in front of investigative journalists in Australia, especially the pervasive use of "spin" and threats to journalists' sources.
Sean Dorney spoke on Reporting from the Pacific. The ABC's Pacific correspondent will look at the more immediate physical threats that can arise in reporting on corruption in Pacific Islands governments, and on the current situation in Fiji that led to his recent expulsion.
Additionally, Bob Howarth, former Managing Director of PNG's Post-Courier and former Editorial Technology Manager at Queensland Newspapers, now teaching journalism research methods part-time at Bond, and Professor Mark Pearson, Head of Journalism at Bond University, commented on the papers, and in particular on the impact of "spin" in contemporary Queensland.
The forum included a question and discussion time. It will be reported in the May 2009 APC News.
The Council's recent public forums includes those jointly sponsored with the New Zealand Press Council in Wellington in March 2008 (The Press and the Right to Know Under Siege: Are press freedoms under threat? - a report appeared in the May 2008 News) and with the Centre for Media and Communications Law at Melbourne University (The Courts and the Media conference was held in Melbourne on Friday 27 July 2007 - a report appeared in the August 2007 News).
The previous Council forum was on Thursday 22 March, 2007, in Perth, with a Public Address by the WA Chief Justice, the Hon. Wayne Martin, Access to Justice - The Media, the Courts and the Public Record.
- encourages research into matters related to the Council's objectives (the freedom and the responsibility of the press)
 by coordinating publication of research material, such as the 2008 State of the News Print Media in Australia report (available on the web or in hard copy for $6 from the Press Council office). The Council has previously published the 2006 report and its 2007 Supplement. The 2006 report is still availale for sale from the Council office.
- organises an annual Press Council Address on a topic related to the freedom and responsibility of the press.
The 2009 Address has been postponed to the second-half of the year and will be advertised here when the details are known.
The 2007 Address was delivered by Fairfax Publications CEO David Kirk at a media lunch on Thursday 10 May 2007. Mr Kirk's speech addressed some of the contemporary issues for the press, especially those arising from convergence, the digital media and press freedom.
The 2006 Annual Address was presented by Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty on 23 March in Sydney, at a lunch. His topic was Between the lines: New powers and accountability for police and the media.
The 2005 Address was delivered by columnist (and lawyer) Richard Ackland at a media lunch on Thursday 31 March 2005, with Justice Ron Sackville responding.
- holds case studies seminars at which journalists, students and members of the public can simulate the complaints adjudication process;
- continuously reviews its own procedures, externally through the use of surveys, statistical reviews and questionnaires, and internally through the Planning Day;
- presents an annual Prize open to tertiary students;
- sponsors an occasional APC Fellowship to bring out an overseas expert to speak to and meet with the Australian media and public (the 1999 APC Fellow was David Robie); and
- prints a large number of publications. In addition to its Occasional Papers (small booklets produced from time to time), the Council produces several regular publications:
Copies of the APC News and of Annual Reports are available to anyone who wants to place his or her name on the mailing list. Alternatively, Press Council publications are now sent by email to those who ask for delivery in that form. If you want the News sent direct to you (in pdf format), please send an email to info@presscouncil.org.au with subject line News by email and you will be placed on the direct email list.
The Conference Papers are available at a nominal price, to defray the cost of printing. Back issues of most publications are available.
A complete list of publications is available.
|
|
|
