Terms of Reference

That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on the Future of Public Interest Journalism, be established to inquire into and report on:
1. the current state of public interest journalism in Australia and around the world, including the role of government in ensuring a viable, independent and diverse service;
2. the adequacy of current competition and consumer laws to deal with the market power and practices of search engines, social media aggregators and content aggregators, and their impact on the Australian media landscape;
3. the impact on public interest journalism of search engines and social media internet service providers circulating fake news, and an examination of counter measures directed at online advertisers, ‘click-bait’ generators and other parties who benefit from disinformation;
4. the future of public and community broadcasters in delivering public interest journalism, particularly in underserviced markets like regional Australia, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
5. examination of ‘fake news’, propaganda, and public disinformation, including sources and motivation of fake news in Australia, overseas, and the international response; and
6. any related matters.
That the committee present its final report on or before 5 February 2018.

Committee Secretariat contact:

Senior Clerk's Office
Department of the Senate
PO Box 6100
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3555
seniorclerk.committees.sen@aph.gov.au

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