Report the “news”

Why does Murdoch’s News Corp present fiction as fact, opinion as news and polarising talking points of Fox News as our national conversation? Because right now, they know they can get away with it.

Australia has some rules protecting the public from media corporations twisting what we hear as news, but those rules are usually not worth peanuts. It’s notoriously difficult for members of the public to engage media watchdogs to enforce the rules, and in the rare instances they do, there’s no meaningful consequence for the media company.

We’ve built this tool to help you to streamline making a complaint to News Corp and the media watchdog. Complaints against publications are counted by the regulator, and reported publicly.

To build the case for a royal commission into Murdoch’s media monopoly, we aim to gather the regulatory breaches wherever they occur. AFMRC supporters reporting what they read and hear through the regulatory processes will mean that this evidence will have official records and independent authority.

Name(Required)

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Where did you see this?(Required)

Television

In print or online

Which News Corp outlet would you like to report?(Required)

Can't find the media organisation above? Report an organisation other than News Corp:

Report a non-NewsCorp TV segment.
Report a non-NewsCorp print or online article.

What was wrong with the segment or show?(Required)

What was wrong with the segment or article?(Required)

Dear AMCA

I ask you to forward this complaint to the media organisation and follow up with them in determining whether a breach has occurred.

I note from your evidence to the Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity in September 2021 that the Australian Communications and Media Authority does “not have a monitoring role” over Australian media, and you therefore rely on individual Australians to report breaches of codes of practice.

I am therefore writing to alert you to a breach of your Subscription Broadcast Television Code of Practice 2013 and Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2015 by News Corporation.

Particularly, I am reporting the following segment.

Dear Press Council

I ask you to forward this complaint to the media organisation and follow up with them in determining whether a breach has occurred.

I note the Press Council is an under-resourced body with little capacity to monitor the Australian media. I am therefore writing to alert you to a breach of your Press Council General Principles by a publication owned by News Corporation.

Particularly, I am reporting the following segment.

Provide as much detail as possible about the segment or article, including date, time and the specific material you wish to report...(Required)

Here's the regulatory code and specific clause that we think applies based on your selection. If it's not quite right you can check the regulatory codes HERE and re-select the breach/what is wrong with the article above.

This is material which is factually incorrect or inaccurate, or missing context.
Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice:

3.3 Accuracy and fairness
3.3.1 In broadcasting a news or Current Affairs Program, a Licensee must present factual material accurately and ensure viewpoints included in the Program are not misrepresented.
3.3.2 Clause 3.3.1 applies to material facts and material misrepresentations of viewpoints only.
3.3.3 Licensees must make reasonable efforts to correct or clarify significant and material errors of fact that are readily apparent or have been demonstrated to the Licensee’s reasonable satisfaction in a timely manner.
3.3.4 If a Licensee makes a correction in an appropriate manner within 30 days of a complaint being received or referred to the ACMA (whichever is later), then the Licensee will not be in breach of clause 3.3.1 in relation to that matter.

Under the Subscription Television Code of Practice:

2.2 News and Current Affairs Programs
(a) News and current affairs programs, including news updates, broadcast by Licensees must:
(i) present news accurately, fairly and impartially;
(ii) clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary, analysis or simulations;
(iii) not simulate news or events in a way that misleads or alarms the audience.Please investigate this potential breach at your earliest convenience and provide written advice as to the action you will take. I have authorised Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission to act on my behalf.

This is material which is not impartial or favours one side of the story.

Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice:

3.4 Impartiality
3.4.1 In broadcasting a news Program, a Licensee must:
a) present news fairly and impartially;
b) clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary and analysis.
3.4.2 Nothing in this Section 3 requires a Licensee to allocate equal time to different points of view, or to include every aspect of a person’s viewpoint, nor does it preclude a critical examination of or comment on a controversial issue as part of a fair report on a matter of public interest.
3.4.3 Current Affairs Programs are not required to be impartial and may take a particular stance on issues.

Under the Subscription Television Code of Practice:

2.2 News and Current Affairs Programs

(a) News and current affairs programs, including news updates, broadcast by Licensees must:
(i) present news accurately, fairly and impartially;
(ii) clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary, analysis or simulations;
(iii) not simulate news or events in a way that misleads or alarms the audience.

This is material which presents a personal opinion as though it is news.

Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice:

3.4 Impartiality
3.4.1 In broadcasting a news Program, a Licensee must:
a) present news fairly and impartially;
b) clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary and analysis.
3.4.2 Nothing in this Section 3 requires a Licensee to allocate equal time to different points of view, or to include every aspect of a person’s viewpoint, nor does it preclude a critical examination of or comment on a controversial issue as part of a fair report on a matter of public interest.
3.4.3 Current Affairs Programs are not required to be impartial and may take a particular stance on issues.

Under the Subscription Television Code of Practice:
2.2 News and Current Affairs Programs
(a) News and current affairs programs, including news updates, broadcast by Licensees must:
(i) present news accurately, fairly and impartially;
(ii) clearly distinguish the reporting of factual material from commentary, analysis or simulations;
(iii) not simulate news or events in a way that misleads or alarms the audience.

This is material which is likely to seriously distress or offend a substantial number of viewers.

Under the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice:

3.2 Material which may cause distress

3.2.1 In broadcasting a news or Current Affairs Program, a Licensee must:
a) not include material which, in the reasonable opinion of the Licensee, is likely to seriously distress or seriously offend a substantial number of viewers, having regard to the likely audience of the Program, unless there is a public interest reason to do so; and
b) include a spoken warning before a segment that contains material which, in the reasonable opinion of the Licensee, is likely to seriously distress or seriously offend a substantial number of viewers having regard to the likely audience of the Program; and
c) not broadcast reports of suicide or attempted suicide unless there is a public interest reason to do so, and exclude any detailed description of the method used, and exclude graphic details or images; and
d) exercise sensitivity in broadcasting images of or interviews with bereaved relatives or people who have witnessed or survived a traumatic incident; and
e) have regard to the feelings of relatives and viewers when including images of dead bodies or people who are seriously wounded, taking into account the relevant public interest.

Under the Subscription Television Code of Practice:

2.2 News and Current Affairs Programs

(b) In broadcasting news and current affairs programs to the extent practicable Licensees:
(i) must not present material in a manner which creates public panic;
(ii) must include only sparingly material likely to cause some distress to a substantial number of viewers;
(iii) must exercise sensitivity in broadcasting images of, or interviews with, bereaved relatives and survivors or witnesses of traumatic incidents;
(iv) will take all reasonable efforts to provide warnings when there are identifiable public interest reasons for broadcasting material which may seriously distress or seriously offend a substantial number of viewers;
(v) will only broadcast reports of suicide or attempted suicide where there is an identifiable public interest to do so and will exclude any detailed description of the method used and any graphic details and will not glamourise suicide in any way; and
(vi) will make reasonable efforts to correct significant errors of fact at the earliest opportunity.

This is inaccurate or misleading material which is presented as though it is factual.

Under the General Principles, news outlets must:
1. Ensure that factual material in news reports and elsewhere is accurate and not misleading, and is distinguishable from other material such as opinion.

2. Provide a correction or other adequate remedial action if published material is significantly inaccurate or misleading.

This is unfair, unbalanced or ignores key facts.

Under the General Principles, news outlets must:
3. Ensure that factual material is presented with reasonable fairness and balance, and that writers’ expressions of opinion are not based on significantly inaccurate factual material or omission of key facts.

4. Ensure that where material refers adversely to a person, a fair opportunity is given for subsequent publication of a reply if that is reasonably necessary to address a possible breach of General Principle 3.

This is likely to cause offence, distress, prejudice or is a substantial risk to health or safety.

Under the General Principles, news outlets must:
5. Avoid intruding on a person’s reasonable expectations of privacy, unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.

6. Avoid causing or contributing materially to substantial offence, distress or prejudice, or a substantial risk to health or safety, unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.

This is material which has been gathered deceptively or unfairly.

Under the General Principles, news outlets must:
7. Avoid publishing material which has been gathered by deceptive or unfair means, unless doing so is sufficiently in the public interest.

8. Ensure that conflicts of interests are avoided or adequately disclosed, and that they do not influence published material.

Please investigate this potential breach at your earliest convenience and provide written advice as to the action you will take.

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Represent

I would like AFMRC to represent me through the complaints process, which includes contacting the regulator on behalf of my complaint

I would like AFMRC to publicise my complaint, keeping my name and identity private.

Please be Polite
Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission pride ourselves on being better than what we campaign against. We do not tolerate abuse towards journalists or members of the media.
Read our campaign charter here

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NOTE: If you have a complaint which is not accommodated by this form, email us at hello@murdochroyalcommission.org.au