The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) has signalled where its sits in regards to the media reforms, backing a modified package derived by senator Nick Xenophon (pictured above) to help get the federal government’s proposed new laws over the line.
Senator Xenophon presented his “compromise” package yesterday to Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, which includes tax relief measures for smaller and regional media publications, as well as a tax on Google and Facebook, according to The Australian.
MEAA chief executive Paul Murphy said it was vital for the media reforms to have a particular focus on local and regional coverage.
“The reduction in journalists being employed in Australia has a particular impact in those areas in terms of coverage of regional councils, regional planning and local courts,” he told The Australian.
“It’s vital for an informed community in a democratic society that there’s appropriate scrutiny.
“We’ve said all along that just changing the ownership rules does nothing to promote sustainability and diversity of the media landscape.”
Senator Fifield is now faced with the tough task of trying to convince either the Greens or Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party to support the government’s proposed media reforms in order for them to be passed as law.
