The Oz tells Fairfax how to do its job. Today’s editorial in The Australian, retorting to those who noticed how inconsistently News Ltd has treated the mother of its proprietor compared with another prominent supporter of the government’s action on climate change who didn’t have such a family connection:

Regular readers of this newspaper will be aware of our consistent support for a market-based price on carbon as the most efficient method of reducing emissions. But regardless of our considered position, this newspaper takes seriously our duty to provide news coverage on policy debates that covers all significant information, views and perspectives. We respect the intelligence of our readers and have confidence in their ability to make up their own minds. We operate on the understanding that you expect us to provide as much relevant information as possible, enabling you to be well-informed. It is our unwritten compact…

For a newspaper to censor or deliberately avoid points of view, such as these, because they conflict with or undermine its own position would be a fundamental breach of trust. Fairfax editors must hold their readers in such low esteem that they will only share with them information that will help shape pre-determined opinions. What a deceptive manipulation of public discourse and an insult to the readers. What disregard for the essence of news and journalism…

When you’ve recovered from the ballsy shamelessness of those paragraphs, we’ll continue. — To read the rest of this article and to comment head over to Crikey blog Pure Poison

Loosening Australian content quotas. Free TV Australia wants to loosen the Australian content quota restrictions placed on Australian FTA broadcasters. Its submission to the Govt’s convergence review framing paper has stated that local content aired on digital multi-channels should count towards its quotas. While I’m generally loathe to agree with Free TV Australia, I don’t see that this is a problem. As long as the quotas are not cut back, there’s no damage done on whether Ten (for example) airs Neighbours on Ten or Eleven.

There is an argument to be made for the fact that TV is costly to produce and that demanding even more local content to be produced for the digital multi-channels is placing undue financial burden on television networks. That said, there are those massive license rebates they’ve just been handed back from our government.

Where the government needs to be looking is at quotas placed on video distribution sites that service Australia. Broadcast TV is a distribution platform on its way out with connected TV services the way of the future. Protectionism needs to be put in place to ensure that there is still an outlet for Australian produced content. — Dan Barrett from Crikey blog White Noise

Front Page of the Day. It was a black day in Blackpool, UK,  for the harmless statue of the star of children’s TV show Postman Pat was brutally vandalised. No word yet on the safety of the good postman’s black and white cat:

Digital landscape threatens media: ACCC chair

“Mergers of media companies will become an increasing challenge for competition watchdogs around the world, the outgoing chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission says. Graeme Samuel, in his last address as ACCC chairman to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, said evolving technology was blurring the traditional separation between various products and various platforms.” — Ninemsn

The Age is not for sale

“Fairfax Media remains adamant it will not sell The Age under any circumstances, despite a syndicate led by former chairman Ron Walker continuing to express interest in buying the company’s key Melbourne assets.” — The Australian

Backdown in defamation case sparks call for Labor man’s sacking

“[Liberal] Senator [Michael] Ronaldson yesterday used a speech to the Senate under parliamentary privilege to blast Craig Thomson, a Labor backbencher from the NSW Right, over allegations reported in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald concerning the fraudulent use of a union credit card, including payment for escort services. Mr Thomson initially pursued defamation proceedings against Fairfax Media, which owns The Age. Fairfax defended the case on the basis the allegations were true. The company stands by the reports and Mr Thomson filed a notice of discontinuance earlier this month.” — The Age

‘Hyperlocal’ news enterprise in the UK

“An ambitious bid to provide “street level news” via mobile phones has been launched. The Postcode Gazette is hoping to recruit thousands of local publishers to deliver “hyperlocal news on a national scale.” Although it has a (beta) web presence, it views smartphones as the principal platform for its news, events, offers and advertising services.” — The Guardian

Cable television vows to embrace online in fight for relevancy

“Cable operators and executives from their video content providers say they’re doing all they can to avoid falling into the same trap as the music industry. That’s why executives from three of the largest cable operators in the U.S.–Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox–along with some heavy hitters from the content business–Time Warner, News Corp. and Viacom–took the stage today to explain how they’re embracing online technology.” — CNET News