Australia's Media diversity down the drain

Media diversity down the drain: Greens

The government's proposed media changes will dramatically reduce the diversity of opinions available to Australians, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Western Australia today.

"The Howard government's changes open the floodgates for foreign companies to buy Australian media outlets and will drastically reduce the editorial gene pool," Senator Brown said.

Senator Brown said the four outlet floor in regional areas could not ensure a diversity of opinion for the bush.

"There will always be more media competition in the cities, but it won't matter how many local content regulations there are for regional radio stations if the same company owns the local newspaper, TV and radio station."

"Ensuring that all Australians have access to a diversity of opinions from a diversity of news sources is essential for a vibrant democracy and these changes undermine democracy."

"The Greens will vote against this legislation to protect the interests of regional Australians. The Nationals, including the vacillating Barnaby Joyce, must not abandon bush voters again, as they did when they voted to sell Telstra," Senator Brown said.

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