Communications & the Arts

Ban on writer’s visit raises more fears of crackdown in China

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Monday 23rd May 2011, 4:06pm
in

Beijing's ban on writer Liao Yiwu's planned visit to Australia deepens fears of a growing crackdown on dissent in China, the Australian Greens said today.

The Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said Mr Liao was scheduled to speak at the Sydney Writer's Festival on May 20th and May 21st but was denied permission to leave China prior to the event.

"Mr Liao is a leading social commentator and has written extensively on poverty and homelessness in China. The ban on his visit to Sydney is part of a concerted effort by the Beijing administration to suppress dissent in light of the protests sweeping the Middle East," said Senator Ludlam.

Greens win more funding for community radio, but job far from over

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Thursday 12th May 2011, 2:08pm
in

The Australian Greens have welcomed an improvement in federal funding to community broadcasting and urged the Government to go much further.

Greens communication spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said the much-loved community broadcasting sector had made a compelling case for a boost in federal funds in the lead up to the budget but were offered a fraction of what is needed.

Senator Bob Brown on ABC News Radio - 11-5-11

Greencast | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Wednesday 11th May 2011, 10:01am
in

Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown spoke with ABC News Radio's Fran Kelly about the 2011-12 federal budget.

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Senator Bob Brown on the 2011-12 budget

Greencast | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Tuesday 10th May 2011, 8:45pm
in

Senator Bob Brown held a press conference where he discussed the government's 2011-12 federal budget.

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Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill 2011 - Second Reading

Speech | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Tuesday 10th May 2011, 12:00am
in

 


Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (17:26): I rise to add some comments on behalf of the Australian Greens, and I advise the Senate at the outset that the Greens will be supporting this bill. We have a number of concerns, which Senator Birmingham has outlined, and the concerns that we raise are very similar. I will give advance warning that I will be moving two second reading amendments that address in particular one of the issues that Senator Birmingham just raised.

Greens welcome E Timor decision on detention centre

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young
Friday 29th April 2011, 2:22pm
in

"The Australian Greens welcome reports from the East Timorese president that he does not support Australia establishing a detention centre in his country," Greens Immigration Spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

ACMA band auctioning

Question | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 25th March 2011, 3:41pm
in

QUESTION NO. 385

Senator Scott Ludlam asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 4 February 2011

(1) What does the ACMA estimate to be the overall revenue raised by its auctioning of the 700MHz digital dividend band?
(2) Will any sections of the band be allocated for use by emergency services?

Bob Brown speaks at the Wallace Brown award ceremony - 23 March 2011

Greencast | Spokesperson Bob Brown
Wednesday 23rd March 2011, 11:14am
in

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown spoke at the Wallace Brown award ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra today where Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd presented the 2011 Wallace Brown Young Achiever Award for Press Gallery Journalism to Ashleigh Gillon, of Sky News.

Peter Veness, of AAP, was the runner-up.

Wally was an environmentalist and one of the most outstanding members of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery. He worked for the Courier-Mail newspaper from 1961 to 1995. He was a tremendous mentor of young journos and in his honour an award was created three years ago to give recognition to young journalists who, in their first years of working in the Press Gallery, excel in fair reporting.

The Award is made possible by The Courier Mail, Wallace Brown’s family, and the National Press Club of Australia and supported by the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.


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Greens welcome new shield law for journalists

Media Release | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Monday 21st March 2011, 3:34pm
in

The Australian Greens welcomed the successful passage of new shield laws for journalists and whistleblowers through the House of Representatives today.

The Greens shadow spokesperson for Communications, Senator Scott Ludlam, successfully secured amendments to the bill in the Senate to afford the protection of the shield laws to citizen-journalists, bloggers and independent media organisations as well as news professionals from the mainstream media. The amended bill was returned to the House and was passed today. Once approved by the Governor General it will become law.

"Effective shield laws for journalists and public service whistle-blowers act as an encouragement to vigilance and integrity," said Senator Ludlam. "If journalists cannot protect their sources, we will not have people coming forward to expose wrong-doing and abuses of power."

Referrals to rate online content

Estimates Transcripts | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam
Friday 11th March 2011, 4:28pm
in

Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts
Answers to Senate Estimates Questions on Notice
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Question No: 38

Senator Ludlam asked:
Has the big jump in referrals been reflected in a jump in referrals of child sexual abuse material and/or referrals across the Federal Police?

Has there been any material difference in the kinds of content that are being reported?