Kevin Rudd (former Australian Labor PM), his critique of Murdoch media and his petition for a Royal Commission to ensure the strength and diversity of Australian news media that by close on 4 November 2020 had garnered 501,876 signatures (2020): “ Petition Reason. Our democracy depends on diverse sources of reliable, accurate and independent news. But media ownership is becoming more concentrated alongside new business models that encourage deliberately polarising and politically manipulated news. We are especially concerned that Australia’s print media is overwhelmingly controlled by News Corporation, founded by Fox News billionaire Rupert Murdoch, with around two-thirds of daily newspaper readership. This power is routinely used to attack opponents in business and politics by blending editorial opinion with news reporting. Australians who hold contrary views have felt intimidated into silence. These facts chill free speech and undermine public debate. Powerful monopolies are also emerging online, including Facebook and Google. We are deeply concerned by: mass-sackings of news journalists; digital platforms impacting on media diversity and viability; Nine Entertainment's takeover of the Melbourne Age and Sydney Morning Herald; News Corp’s acquisition (and then closure) of more than 200 smaller newspapers, undermining regional and local news; attempts to replace AAP Newswire with News Corp’s alternative; and relentless attacks on the ABC’s independence and funding. Professional journalists further have legitimate concerns around unjust searches, potential prosecution, whistle-blower protection, official secrecy and dispute resolution that should be comprehensively addressed. Only a Royal Commission would have the powers and independence to investigate threats to media diversity, and recommend policies to ensure optimal diversity across all platforms to help guarantee our nation’s democratic future. Petition Request. We therefore ask the House to support the establishment of such a Royal Commission to ensure the strength and diversity of Australian news media” (Parliament of Australia Petitions List, “Petition EN1938 – Royal Commission to ensure a strong, diverse Australian news media”, 4 November 2020: https://www.aph.gov.au/petition_list?id=EN1938 ).
Kevin Rudd on Murdoch media (2020): “Cancer on democracy… To call the Murdoch media empire a journalistic organization committed to bringing you fair and balanced news coverage around the world these days has become a joke” ( Sherisse Pham, “More than 500,000 Australians demand probe into Rupert Murdoch’s media empire”, CNN, 5 November 2020: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/05/media/australia-murdoch-media-inquiry-intl-hnk/index.html ).