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The media in the spotlight

The two most powerful media people in Oz, Packer and Murdoch, don't want it. Fairfax has queried the need for it. The Nationals are against it. Country people are opposed to it too. So, why is that Howard and Co are seemingly bent on the so-called media reform?

The pubic seems by and large disinterested. They oughtn't to be! The ramifications are considerable if media laws are changed as proposed. We have enough issues in and with the media as things stand now.

Which makes a recent publication "Do Not Disturb - Is the Media Failing Australia?" so timely. Edited by Prof. Robert Manne, as the publisher in its blurb says:

"At a time when the Howard government has radically narrowed the national vision, the mainstream media has failed to notice or to hold it to account. Do Not Disturb offers diverse and enlightening explanations for this failure. Featuring an array of independent insiders, including: Eric Beecher, Guy Rundle, Jon Faine, Margaret Simons, David Marr, plus many more."

Get the book. It's excellent. Incidentally, David Marr was a recent winner of the 2006 Victorian Premier's Literary Award- Essay Category for his contribution to the book.

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