Government muzzles free press: Abbott

6 Aug 2012, 4:53 pm   -   Source: AAP

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has rejected the need for more media regulation, accusing the federal government of wanting to stifle debate.

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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the federal government is waging a "jihad" against outspoken mining magnates and is trying to muzzle its critics in the media.

Mr Abbott also used his speech to the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) in Sydney on Monday to argue for the axing of racial vilification laws and to reject Labor's bid to set up a "political correctness enforcement agency" overseeing the media.

However, the government says changing the anti-discrimination laws would give free rein to commentators vilifying minorities and religious groups.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy is considering the report of an inquiry by former Federal Court judge Ray Finkelstein, which calls for a news media council to oversee journalism standards.

Also, media owners could face a public interest or suitability test.

Mr Abbott said the coalition opposed both ideas and he called on Labor to do the same.

"It is not - repeat not - the role of government to manage the day-to-day practices of journalism, to dictate who can and who can't control Australian media outlets or to `score' media coverage against unavoidably subjective standards of fairness," Mr Abbott said.

"The job of government is to foster free speech, not stifle it."

Mr Abbott, a former journalist, said rather than argue its case, the Gillard government "simply howls down its critics using the megaphone of incumbency".

Any new media watchdog could become a "political correctness enforcement agency destined to suppress inconvenient truths", Mr Abbott said.

A spokesman for Senator Conroy told AAP the government had yet to respond to the Finkelstein review.

"The media plays an essential role in the democratic process," the spokesman said.

Regulation and industry structures were needed to support a healthy and independent media, he said.

Mr Abbott said Labor's attacks on mining magnates amounted to a "jihad ... for daring to question the government's investment-sapping mining tax".

He also said a coalition government would axe section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, which bans statements that "offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate" another person or a group of people on grounds of race or ethnicity.

"A 'hurt feelings' test is impossible to comply with while maintaining the fearless pursuit of truth which should be the hallmark of a society such as ours," Mr Abbott said.

A spokesman for Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said that while Australians valued a free press "it's not fair to use the press to racially vilify someone".

"Let's remember that section 18C has provided protection for many vulnerable people, including Holocaust survivors and an Aboriginal woman who was repeatedly abused with racist taunts by her neighbour," the spokesman said.

"Playing politics is one thing, but playing with people's lives is quite another."

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