The largest media corporation in Australia is the government owned and funded ABC, which constantly runs an anti-Coalition line and uses its current affairs programs to malign the leader of the Opposition. This is, of course, in direct contradiction of the ABC Charter. Strangely, Senator Conroy's "reforms" exempt the ABC from any independent scrutiny.

Not so strangely, Alan, a former ABC staffer now resident in the French socialist paradise sees harm only in the Murdoch press and its major share of the Australian print media, a share incidentally, granted to Murdoch by a former Labour government which saw Murdoch as an ally at that time.

Ho Ho HO.

Nice one Alan, when did you decide to join the comedy circuit?

Cripes; Austin's crusade against Perry White, sorry Rubert Murdoch, arch villan, continues apace.

Disguised as a gentile wine imbiber Austin, situated in a salubrious part of Chateau de Plonksville, at night, or day, or anytime really, doffs his wine appreciation apparel and goes out into the night, day or any time really to press his campaign against the ineluctable foe.

Armed only with a pen, rose-coloured glasses and an indomitable asininity he presses his case against Murdoch, Bolt and anyone who doesn't want to live under the gentle yoke of a CO2 tax, the ABC or Gillard.

"Can anything be done?" cries Alan.

To which we reply: yes, don't buy his bloody newspapers you twit.

Hi Alan, So News corp is not without sin. What else is new? The ABC is guilty of grievous sin and uses my taxes to pay for it. Conroy's cure is a direct attack on freedom of the press and should be rejected outright by all citizens that value one of the corner stones of democracy. Very little is perfect in this world - Conroy's cure is far far worse than the disease. Furthermore it comes very soon after Roxon's attempt to strangle free speech. This Government is dangerous and must go asap.

Agree Alan:
What actual changes are advocated?
That the self regulation News corporation and others have signed up to, is finally and transparently enforced, by entirely independent oversight!
That no editor or owner can influence any outcome, or that body's independence, by threatening to withdraw financial support, for their own self regulated organisation.
The Govt has no influence here, any more than it can dictate to a judge or an ombudsman.
I simply don't understand all the fuss over the additional protection to free speech, this legislation will provide; and not just for large powerful corporations, but Mr average Joe public as well.
Who's rights as Alan has pointed out, are routinely ridden rough shod over, by those now screaming the loudest, over their perceived rights to reveal all?
The public interest test or morbid curiosity, needs to be truly tested by the public's actual right to know, or should that read, the publicist's right to reveal?
Or indeed, any person's inherent right to inviolable privacy.
I believe, the "press", killed Princess Diana, with their constant attempts to breach her privacy, just as surely as if it had held a loaded gun to her head?
We ought to have rules to prevent this from ever happening again to anyone.
Given we don't, we need to ensure such as we do have, to protect our rights and our freedom of speech, are at least enforced on those, who voluntarily sign up to them.
I mean, there's no compulsion, and they remain free to opt out; given there is no obligation to sign up or on as a press council, rule obeying member!
The proposed legislation is, as I understand what is actually proposed, only asking them to observe their very own rules or self regulation!?
Just what is the problem with that?
Rhrosty.

If there is one thing that the ABC does well, it is the Leftist brainwashing of its reporters and journalists.It stays with them for life.