Bridge collapse in Taiwan.
It still has to pass the UK parliament. The Northern Ireland DUP will not vote for it.
https://twitter.com/BloombergTV/status/1184789048050798593?s=19
According to the Herald Sun, WIN News said at the time that the accused Ben Wardlaw was on bail at the time of the offence. While it was true, it had not been heard by the jurors in court.
Since then the trial had to be restarted another three times before Wardlaw was yesterday found guilty of murdering grandmother Karen Ashcroft by the fourth jury after two days of deliberations. Wardlaw will be sentenced next year.
Expect coverage of NSW bushfires. Hearing reports of deaths & property loss on RFS radio.
Thought this would be the best place to discuss a report about reporting by commercial news organisations.
Eight in 10 Australians concerned about commercial influence in news
More than 8 in 10 Australian adults are concerned about large advertisers influencing the news, according to new research from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The research was released today in conjunction with an ACMA discussion paper, ‘Impartiality and commercial influence in broadcast news’.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said the ACMA is looking at how the commercial broadcast news industry had changed due to digital disruption and whether current regulatory arrangements are fit for purpose.
“There is ongoing debate about the credibility of news delivered online. But TV and radio remain an important source of news for the majority of Australians. If audiences have concerns about the credibility of news on TV and radio, then these need to be addressed by industry,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
The ACMA research highlights a range of concerns from Australians about the impartiality of, and commercial influence in, news:
- 88 per cent are concerned news is made more dramatic or sensational to attract more readers or viewers.
- 85 per cent are concerned news is reported from a particular point of view rather than being balanced or impartial.
- 79 per cent were concerned that there was difficulty in telling when a journalist is expressing an opinion rather than reporting the facts.
- 77 per cent are concerned about commercial businesses paying to have their products or services featured in the news, but not disclosing the payment.
- 97 per cent reported noticing commercial influence in at least one news source.
- 58 per cent consider that there is now more commercial influence in Australian news today, compared with three years ago.
“As Australia’s broadcasting regulator, we want to make sure that current regulatory arrangements still do the job they were designed to do in the contemporary broadcasting news environment. For example, we are interested in whether the move from half-hour news bulletins towards hour-long hybrid news and current affairs programs has impacted the impartiality of news reporting,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“It’s also an opportunity to look at principles relating to impartiality and commercial influence that might usefully apply to the delivery of news on online platforms.”
The ACMA is seeking comments on the discussion paper from industry stakeholders and news audiences by Friday 28 February.
This ACMA report brought to you by Officeworks
In response to the coronavirus:
It is confirmed that 41 people have died of the coronavirus outbreak and there are more than 500 medical cases. Wuhan is closed. I have looked through the Smart Traveller guide for China and noticed that Australians must not travel to Hubei province due to the catastrophic health risks. Chinese authorities have imposed travel restrictions in Hubei province.
My father is currently in overseas right now (China) and he had a very bad virus. I know it is the Lunar New Year period and a lot of people were stranded in Wuhan, Hubei province, China. A few days ago, I received a phone call from him and his voice has gone croaky. He has developed some symptoms. I feel that dad is not looking very good right now and he feels so pale. He was meant to come home on the 6th Feb but has changed his ticket to 28 January.
Hoping for the best for your dad.
First case detected in Canada.
Kobe Bryant is dead.
ESPN AU/NZ took the ABC News (US) special report when the international feed cut away from the Pro Bowl NFL game.
Kobe Bryant: 2x Gold Olympic Medalist (Beijing 2008, London 2012), 18x NBA All Star, 5x NBA Champion, 2x NBA Finals MVP.
Empty hearts and deep condolences go out of The Bryant family. 41, just too young. Bryant, we will remember you and our thoughts are with Wife Vanessa and his family.
Seven News’ Twitter account broadcast a live news conference by Los Angeles County Fire Department earlier this morning on Kobe Bryant’s death.