Australia's media watchdog, the Australian Press Council (APC), is facing significant criticism for its failure to effectively combat misinformation in mainstream media. In a recent analysis, journalist Alan Austin highlights the APC's shortcomings, particularly its reluctance to hold major media outlets, such as News Corp, accountable for spreading falsehoods. This criticism comes at a time when public trust in media is increasingly fragile, with polls indicating that 40% of voters believe the Coalition manages the economy better than the Labor party, despite Australia ranking second globally in median wealth and being the only country in budget surplus with top credit ratings and low inflation [ef008e5e].
Austin points out that misleading headlines and articles from various media outlets contribute to public deception, undermining the integrity of journalism. The APC, which operates on an annual budget of $1.77 million, has only publicly identified five offending articles this year, raising questions about its effectiveness and commitment to upholding journalistic standards. Critics argue that the APC has declined to investigate multiple instances of misinformation, particularly those targeting prominent women, which further erodes public confidence in the media [ef008e5e].
In light of these issues, Austin proposes the establishment of a more effective media monitoring body that would track and report breaches of journalistic principles, ensuring accountability among media organizations. The call for reform comes as the APC's current approach is deemed insufficient to address the growing concerns about media accountability and the spread of misinformation in Australia [ef008e5e].