The new media laws: a fig leaf to conceal bargains among thieves

On SBS I have learnt about French villages, Estonian cities, South American music; and the diversity of SBS movies is superb. Who wasn’t grateful for its brilliant, in-depth coverage of the World Cup? It made the rest of the TV stations look like amateurs. On sport and other SBS programs, we get a world-view, not programs cheering on “the little Aussie battler from Bundywallop”. Score: 7 out of 10; showing up the rest.

I am grateful that the Howard Government allows SBS and ABC to survive. We need more stations like SBS, not more commercial claptrap. We need more diversity, not less. Will we get it under the media “reforms”?

First, we can already see the danger of having one person controlling many outlets. Nobody on TV can criticise the boss’ newspaper: we look in vain on Channel Nine for details of PBL’s troubles. Fairfax, Packer and Murdoch own powerful media empires and everyone races to echo His Master’s Voice.

Media Watch has shown this in chilling fashion in regard to Murdoch’s obedient editors. The ABC uses Media Watch to point out faults in ALL the media, ABC included. It’s very scary to think that the House of Packer or Murdoch can tell us what to think about social issues or national problems.

Second, foreign ownership of our media will mean less control for Australians. It’s bad enough having chunks of American dross on Seven, Nine and Ten. We don’t want UK, US or Chinese media throwing us their off-cuts. Anyone who has seen TV in Brazil or similar countries will see what I mean: tedious hours of The Dukes of Hazzard or Bewitched, circa 1970, dumped on unfortunate viewers because it’s all cheap. How will foreign ownership contribute to an understanding of men and women in the Australian bush?

Third, if we abandon cross-ownership laws, who is going to protect ordinary people in Footscray or Barcaldine against the power of the media moguls controlling who says what? Where in all the changes, does an intelligent viewer hope to see better information? How do we expect people under 25, who devour media like it was fresh air, will get some kind of education from what they will drink in? And how, incidentally, can we debate media control, if people who control media won’t allow it? Is there free speech in Australia? Yes, and some have more than others.

The new legislation looks too much like a figleaf made to conceal bargains among thieves. The big media players will divide the media, like kings after a battle, while you and I have to endure the news they want us to have. And the more I hear Helen Coonan talk of diversity and freedom, the more I smell a rat. Give us some real changes, please, and some decent media coverage. Not more of the same rubbish.