Media
Wilkie challenged to put up. The Wilkie response …
Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie’s warning (The Australian, 12/9/2011) that he will vote against any media inquiry which ‘smacks of politics’, smacks of politics, Greens Leader Bob Brown said today.
“He should put up his own terms,” Senator Brown said.
“The Greens proposal includes an examination of the concentration of media ownership, and its impact, and the adequacy of self-regulation of ethical standards.”
“Andrew Wilkie might well be ‘not fussed’ but many Australians, not least Tasmanians, want more. A review of the current concentration of media ownership is not something to be afraid of – regardless of the size of the vested interests.”
“The media, as an industry, is not immune from scrutiny and some elements within it are overdue for a reality check. If Andrew Wilkie is to vote this down, let him tell the voters of Tasmania why,” Senator Brown said.
Earlier on Tasmanian Times:
Rupert … my part in his (near) downfall
Andrew Wilkie presents the inaugural Tasmanian Times Lecture
• The Wilkie response …
BOB BROWN’S CONCERN UNWARRANTED
Greens Leader Bob Brown’s warning that the Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, might vote down the Greens proposed media inquiry is misleading.
“I’ve never said, or been reported to say, that I won’t support a media inquiry and in particular the Greens proposed inquiry,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“In fact I’m open-minded on the matter and will be interested to see the detail of the Greens’ proposal.
“If anything is to be drawn from today’s report in The Australian regarding my concern with any media inquiry having narrow terms of reference and smacking of politics, it is that the broader inquiry flagged by the Greens might be acceptable to me.’’