APC announces new structure and funding
The Australian Press Council has pressed on with an announcement of greater funding and a beefed up structure a day after Seven West Media, owner of The West Australian and Pacific Magazines, withdrew.
The APC announced that funding would rise from $0.8 million this year to $1.6m in 2012-13 and $1.8m in the following year.
Member companies would also be obliged to commit to the body for four years to ensure that those unhappy with a particular decision could not easily walk out.
Seven West Media has declined to discuss why it has withdrawn from the industry body, although it has been widely speculated that the organisation was unhappy with decisions by the APC that went against it.
The reforms of the organisation come against the backdrop of a recommendation by the Independent Media Inquiry for the creation of a new government-funded News Media Council.
The APC is funded by the industry. Members include News Limited, Fairfax Media, media union the MEAA and the other publishers.
The existing members have agreed the funding for the next three years.
Prof Julian Disney, chairman of the APC, said in a statement: “The publishers’ commitments are very welcome and will greatly strengthen the Council’s resources and effectiveness. Now that continued membership and greatly improved funding have been guaranteed for the next three years, the Council can implement a sustained program to fulfil its responsibilities across print and online media.”
He conceded: “We regret the decision of Seven West Media not to be involved in the program to strengthen the Council and therefore to withdraw from membership, but we recognise its right to do so. Under the new arrangements, the Council’s vulnerability to such withdrawals will be greatly reduced as they will not take effect until four years after notice is given.”
Online publication Crikey’s owner Private media has committed to joining the APC while Disney said the “significant online publishers” including ninemsn were also interested in joining. Mumbrella has also held informal talks with the APC about joining.
Disney will be joining a panel at the Mumbrella360 conference in June to discuss media regulation. He will be joined by News Limited editorial director Campbell Reid, SMH publisher and editor-in-chief Peter Fray and Matthew Ricketson who advised the independent media inquiry.
