Julia Gillard proposes Australian media laws overhaul
Jonathan Pearlman, The Telegraph | March 12, 2013

Julia Gillard has proposed an overhaul of Australia’s media laws, including a watchdog to oversee complaints against journalists and new rules to prevent a further concentration of media ownership.

…However, the Press Council will now itself be overseen by a new, independent Public Interest Media Advocate. The advocate, to be appointed by the government after consultation with the opposition, will have the power to punish journalists who breach standards and to lift exemptions afforded to reporters from privacy laws. …

…The opposition said it will not support the legislation, which is due to be introduced later this week. “Freedom is at stake, liberty is at stake, democracy is at stake,” said Malcolm Turnbull, the opposition communication spokesman.

The U.K. is also trying to control the media.