The censor cometh !

There is something ominous about the findings of an independent enquiry into regulation of the Australian media industry.    This six month enquiry considered sixty submissions and now finds that we need a new statutory authority to impose rules and regulations under which the media must work and comply.

Headed by former Federal court judge Ray Finkelstein, the enquiry finds that the present code of self regulation is inadequate.

Many people might think that this enquiry smacks of " opportunism " .   The British media is in uproar because phones and computers were hacked to gain news sensations and there was widespread corruption - with reporters paying what amounted to bribes to police, civil servants and even palace insiders to gain sensitive information.

What happened in England is not what is happening in Australia, but perhaps it is seen as an opportunity to curb the Australian press and clamp down the lid on criticism of the government.   If this new statutory authority goes ahead, it will be Federal government people who write the rules and regulations that will apply.

The first step in imposing censorship is the mechanism for suggesting that some form of regulation is now necessary.   If the public swallows that, then we will no doubt be told that the aims of the new regulations are to stop the invasion of privacy - and make it illegal to say or print conjecture unless this has been cleared by the subject.

Perhaps the real target is people like Andrew Bolt and his " Bolt Report ".

Andrew Bolt is often critical of the government.   He has a habit of delving into matters that the government - and sometimes the opposition - would like to keep under wraps.   His report has gained wide coverage because it attracts public interest, and because of this - it has become the medium for insiders who know dirty little secrets - to whisper in his ear.

Governments like to close down " leaks " , and one of the best ways to silence insiders is to force journalists to reveal their sources of information,  Setting up a " statutory authority " to regulate the media industry could be the first step in forcing such disclosures.

A lot of world regimes control their media with an iron fist.  What you read or hear is only what the censor allows - and as a result those governments get away with repression - and often one party rule.

Having an honest government goes hand in hand with having a free news media !