Journalism in Oz & the ‘Public Right To Know’

I was surprised to learn that ‘hidden issues and communication strategies in the media’ are discussed by journalists and academics ‘probing media activity’. In 2006 there was a ‘Public Right to Know (PR2K) Conference’ run by the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism (ACIJ) at the University of Technology (UTS), Sydney.

What was discussed at the 2006 conference?

• The ABC’s Tim Palmer, who won the 2005 Gold Walkley, and Dateline’s Executive Producer, Mike Carey, opened the conference with a discussion on “Press Freedom versus Cultural Sensitivity”.
• The community response to racism in news reporting, linguistic strategies in news reporting and the journalistic significance of freedom of information.
• The war in Afghanistan as seen by SBS’s Carmela Baranowska – a Walkley Award winner for her coverage from the ground there.
• The findings of the ACIJ’s special investigation into what really happens to Australian aid money.
• Reformed bank robber turned journalist, Bernie Matthews, participated in a forum drawing on his own experiences behind bars to look at the increasingly restrictive policies governing prisoner communications.

Conference presenters included journalists Tim Palmer, Mike Carey, Bernie Matthews, Carmela Baranowska, Mark Davis and Michael McKinnon, together with Associate Professor Chris Nash, Associate Professor Wendy Bacon, Dr Annabelle Lukin, Dr Canzhong Wu and the ACIJ Investigative Team.

Freedom of Information searches – part of investigative journalism

Wendy Bacon – winner of a Walkley Award for her reporting of corruption in NSW – runs a short course on understanding how to use the Freedom of Information Laws while also teaching practical skills in preparing and negotiating FOI searches at UTS. Wendy is a non-practising lawyer and program coordinator of journalism at UTS.

Course dates: Run on demand – over two and a half days.
Please contact ACIJ to register your interest.
Times: 9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: $450 or $300 concession (fee includes course manual)
Places limited to 14 students.

You can download a registration form here and post, fax or give in person to:

Post: Tameera Kemp
Australian Centre for Independent Journalism
P O Box 123
Broadway NSW 2007

Fax: 9281 2976