Australian media inquiry calls for new regulator
Mar 2, 2012, 6:10 AM
SYDNEY (AP) – An inquiry into Australia’s media has recommended the establishment of a government-funded council to set and enforce journalistic standards.
The investigation was launched after News Corp. closed its top-selling British tabloid News of the World last year over illegal phone hacking allegations. News Corp. owns 70 percent of Australia’s newspapers through its subsidiary, News Ltd.
Many government lawmakers argue that News Ltd.’s newspaper holdings are too large and are biased against the ruling center-left Labor Party.
The inquiry released a report Friday that recommended a government-funded “News Media Council” be established to set journalistic standards and handle complaints when those standards are breached.
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