Matthew Ricketson to represent media union as member of the Australian Press Council
Matthew Ricketson, an author of the report into the independent inquiry into the media and media regulation commonly known as The Finkelstein Report, has been appointed as a member of The Australian Press Council.
Ricketson, who will represent the journalist’s union the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, joins alongside Anita Quigley who will represent Community Newspapers Australia.
The previous MEAA representative on Council was Alan Kennedy, who has stepped down after more than 10 years while Quigley replaces Bob Osburn.
Weisbrot
Council Chair Professor David Weisbrot said, in a statement: While we are always sorry to lose good and dedicated members, I am delighted to welcome the highly experienced Anita Quigley and Matthew Ricketson, who will clearly be able to pick up where their distinguished predecessors left off.
“The Council has much work to do in this period of dynamic technological and social change, but the make-up of the current Council is exceptionally strong and well-suited for the purpose.”
Ricketson was appointed the inaugural Professor of Journalism at the University of Canberra in 2009. Prior to that he was media and communications editor for The Age.
In a statement he said: “I am delighted and honoured to represent the MEAA on the Press Council.
“I’ve been a union member for nearly 35 years and I strongly support the need and the value of the Council, which takes seriously the task of upholding high standards of journalism.
“I bring the dual perspectives of practitioner and academic to this role and I’m very much looking forward to making a contribution to the Council’s work.”
Quigley is the executive editor of NewsLocal and has more than 20 years experience as a print journalist and editor on metropolitan daily and national newspapers and magazines in Australia and London.
In a statement she said: “I look forward to representing community newspapers and giving them a voice and vote on the Press Council.
“Community papers have by far the largest readership and reach across Australia, so I hope to sustain a strong representation for these voices and be instrumental in shaping the future of our industry.”
The Press Council now has 24 members comprising: the independent Chair and 10 ‘public members’, who have no affiliations with a media organisation; nine nominees of media organisations which are ‘constituent bodies’ of the Council; and four independent journalist members, who are not employed by a media organisation.
Mumbrella is a member of the Press Council.
Miranda Ward worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2017, eventually becoming deputy editor. Miranda joined Mumbrella in September 2013 from Sky News.
Linkedin
This is funny on so many levels. Go for it Dr Matt.
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This announcement conveniently glosses-over a very important piece of history.
“The Finkelstein Report” was one of the most dishonourable, disgraced “reports” to have been produced for any government this century.
It advocated giving the Gillard government absolute control over the media and journalism, and the unfettered power to bring free speech to an end – which was its clear intent. Quite rightly it was rejected by the industry and the people, along with that government.
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