Funding extends journalism education project
Friday, 16 May 2008
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson today announced additional funding of $185 000 for a Murdoch University project supporting fair and balanced reporting of cultural diversity.
Opening a consultation meeting of the Reporting Diversity and Integration project at the University of New South Wales in Sydney today (eds – 9.15am May 16), Mr Ferguson said the extension of the project would help Murdoch University and its partners develop further resources for journalism education.
‘The extra funding will enable analysis of talk back radio to be extended into regional and rural areas and allow further study of how diverse elements of Australia’s population are represented in the media,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘The Australian Government through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship has previously provided $164 000 to Murdoch University for development of tertiary and cadet journalism education resources supporting balanced reporting on cultural diversity, integration and social cohesion.
‘A collection of high quality curricula resources is already being trialled in five universities.
‘The project has been so successful that the government has decided to increase the funding available to Murdoch University so teaching resources can be provided to all journalism courses throughout Australia.
‘The media is a key institution in a modern democracy like ours, and the news media plays a very influential role in shaping public attitudes and ultimately, the kind of society we live in.
‘Asking the media to exercise judgement in reporting on issues of diversity and integration is not about curtailing the freedom of the press – it’s about acknowledging the impact publications and broadcasts can have in providing information and asking media to be mindful of this. I would hope that it also assists the crucial task of diversifying our media and its workforce,’ Mr Ferguson added.
Media contact: Khaldoun Hajaj 02 6277 4920 or 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08038.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST