Are other people, like me, concerned about the Howard government's plan to abolish the cross-media ownership rules; thus allowing Kerry Packer to take over the Fairfax group (SMH, the Age, Aus Financial Review)?

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

Answers

As Minister Alston has already done this, I guess there's a feeling of "too late, it's done" but yes, I am concerned. I am mainly concerned with the outcome that Australia's media industries are monolpolised by really only 2 players (Murdoch & Packer) and with the international grasp on media that they both share, I worry about who controls the media and to what extent is the information produced screened or softened.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002