There are some important goings on around media regulation at the moment.

We have the Convergence Review (dealing with traditionally regulated broadcasters merging with the digital stream) and a new Media Inquiry (looking into print and online).

Historically print has been free of Government interference in Australia: a tradition going back at least 150 years. Government, the judicial system, and people may have enough protection with law around defamation, obscenity, and court proceedings.

One cannot go past the argument that the new Media Inquiry is a Government response to perceived News Ltd bias and the NotW scandal in the UK. PM Julia Gillard did say News Ltd “has questions to answer”.

To gain in-depth analysis, I spoke with veteran journalist and current presenter for the ABC’s Media Watch, Jonathan Holmes.

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