Seven West Media pulls out of Australian Press Council
While the Australian Press Council wants to expand its watchdog role to include television, Seven West Media retreats.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Seven West Media has announced that it has withdrawn from self-regulatory body, the Australian Press Council.
In a statement, the group said, “The group editor in chief Bob Cronin said the company was putting in place an alternative independent complaints-resolution body, which would guarantee accountability of all the group’s publications. He said the company would release full details of the plan in coming weeks and would make no further comment until then.”
The news affects the group’s print media, but while broadcasting remains under the watch of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, the Australian Press Council has previously indicated it wants to see its role expand into regulation of news and current affairs commentary across all platforms, including radio, television and blogs.
The government has now received reports from both the Independent Media Inquiry and the Convergence Review but is yet to announce any changes.
Seven West Media, which has Kerry Stokes as its Chairman and David Leckie as CEO, has interests in television, radio, newspapers, magazines and online, including Channel Seven and Pacific Magazines.
The Australian Press Council was established in 1976.
2 Responses
Isn’t ‘self regulation’ an oxymoron?
The Australian Press Council should become relevant and more in line with community expectations before trying to extend its reach.