Media
An Uneasy Relationship
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1375/qr.18.2.105Keywords:
Tony Fitzgerald, QC, government media units and press secretaries, accountability, control and manipulation of informationAbstract
In 1989, corruption inquiry commissioner Tony Fitzgerald, QC gave a qualified tick to the use of government media units and press secretaries in his landmark report, which ushered Queensland into an age of accountability. After an inquiry that included 238 public sitting days and 339 witnesses, his view was that it was both ‘legitimate and necessary’ for ministers, departments and public instrumentalities to employ staff to help keep the public informed. He warned, however, against control and manipulation of information and counselled there was no legitimate justification for politically motivated propaganda funded by taxpayers
References
Beattie, P. 2009, Personal communication, August.
Chamberlin, G. 2002, ‘Choose Democracy’, Courier Mail, 25 November, p. 9.
Chamberlin, G. 2009, ‘Danger Lies in Limited Data’, Courier Mail, 22 July 22, p. 24.
Chamberlin, G. 2009, ‘Need for Further Review’, Courier Mail, 10 August, p. 24.
Charlton, K. 2011, Personal communication, June.
Crime and Misconduct Commission 2004, ‘Striking a Balance: An Inquiry into Media Access to Police Radio Communications’, Crime and Misconduct Commission, Brisbane, http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/ 80326001129615554830.pdf (accessed 22 November 2011)
Davies, G. 2005, Report: Queensland Public Hospitals Commission of Inquiry, Queensland Government, Brisbane.
Department of the Premier and Cabinet 2009, Integrity and Accountability in Queensland, Queensland Government Discussion Paper, http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/community-issues/open-transparent-gov/assets/integrity-and-accountability-paper.pdf (accessed 22 November 2011).
EARC 1993, Report on Review of Government Media and Information Services, Brisbane: Electoral and Administrative Review Commission.
Foo, F. 2011, ‘QPS Has Been Freed from Having to Respond to Questions’, The Australian, 18 April, p. 28.
Fitzgerald, G.E. 1989, Report: Commission of Inquiry into Possible Illegal Activities and Associated Police Misconduct (Fitzgerald Inquiry Report), Government Printer, Brisbane, http://www.qphci.qld.gov.au/final_report/Final_Report.pdf (accessed 22 November 2011).
Fitzgerald, G.E. 2009, ‘Introduction to the Tony Fitzgerald Inaugural Lecture 2009’, Griffith University, 28 July.
Ironside, R. 2010, ‘Police Culture of Secrecy Echoes Pre-Fitzgerald Era’, Courier Mail, 4 May, p. 23.
Murray, D. 2011, ‘Policing Now a Covert Operation’, Sunday Mail, 13 March, p. 46.
Richards, R. and Chamberlin, G. 1990, ‘Submission to the Electoral and Administrative Review Commission by Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd in Relation to Freedom of Information’, 8.1, p. 4.
