Media Release 11 March 2016
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| MEDIA RELEASE | 11 March 2016 |
| Press Council welcomes two new members |
| The Australian Press Council has approved the appointment of two new members: Matthew Ricketson, who will represent the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), and Anita Quigley, representing Community Newspapers Australia. |
| Matthew is an academic and journalist who was appointed the inaugural Professor of Journalism at the University of Canberra in 2009. Before that, among many other media roles over a long career, he was Media and Communications Editor for The Age. |
| Anita is Executive Editor of NewsLocal, the largest community newspaper group in Australia under the aegis of News Corp Australia. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a print journalist and editor on metropolitan daily and national newspapers and magazines in Australia and London. |
| The previous MEAA representative on Council was Alan Kennedy, who has stepped down after 11 years of exemplary service. The previous Community Newspapers Australia representative was Bob Osburn, who also made a major contribution to the Council’s work over a long period. |
| “While we are always sorry to lose good and dedicated members, I am delighted to welcome the highly experienced Anita Quigley and Matthew Ricketson, who will clearly be able to pick up where their distinguished predecessors left off,” said Council Chair David Weisbrot. “The Council has much work to be done in the period of dynamic technological and social change, but the make-up of the current Council is exceptionally strong and well-suited for this purpose.” |
| The Press Council now has 24 members comprising: |
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| “I am delighted and honoured to represent the MEAA on the Press Council,” Matthew Ricketson said. “I've been a union member for nearly 35 years and I strongly support the need and the value of the Council, which takes seriously the task of upholding high standards of journalism. “I bring the dual perspectives of practitioner and academic to this role and I’m very much looking forward to making a contribution to the Council's important work.” |
| Anita Quigley said: “I look forward to representing community newspapers and giving them a voice and vote on the Press Council. Community papers have by far the largest readership and reach across Australia. I hope to sustain a strong and vibrant representation for these voices and be instrumental in shaping reform and the future of our industry." The Press Council membership accounts for some 900 mastheads and approximately 95 percent of newspaper and magazine circulation in Australia, as well as most of the major online news sites. |
| The Press Council membership accounts for some 900 mastheads and approximately 95 percent of newspaper and magazine circulation in Australia, as well as most of the major online news sites. |
| For more information or to request an interview with Council Chair David Weisbrot, contact the Director of Research and Communications by email at michael.rose@presscouncil.org.au or by telephone: 0451 978 2876 |
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| Australian Press Council Address: Level 6, 309 Kent St, Sydney, 2000 Phone: (02) 9261 1930 or 1800 025 712 Fax: (02) 9267 6826 Email: info@presscouncil.org.au Web: http://www.presscouncil.org.au |
