News

Dealing with people who are dealing with grief is one of the most difficult parts of a journalist's job. Just as every story is different, so is the reaction of those involved when approached by the media. Ten News reporter Ben Lewis has noticed a shift in attitudes, particularly among media-savvy young people, who are finding themselves increasingly empowered.

In a year that had its fair share of revolutions, resignations and natural disasters, ABC News Breakfast's Michael Rowland recalls the news highlights and lowlights of 2011.

Forget the doomsayers who bemoan the contraction of the media industry. There’s plenty of work out there, argues Channel Seven’s Kate Osborn, as long as you’re prepared for some hard slog. And she says Gen Y journalism students could learn a thing or two, from RMIT’s Class of 2000.

The transformation of traditional concepts of media has created a range of complex new challenges for media lawyers. In particular, multifaceted issues arising from social media in the context of the conventional law of defamation include jurisdictional concerns, responsibility for publication and the vast potential for damage to reputation (in addition to contempt and privacy issues). The need to revisit defamation laws is increasingly apparent, to ensure both reputation and freedom of expression are adequately protected in the age of social media. Corrs Chambers Westgarth Partner and Melbourne Press Club committee member Richard Leder provides an overview of some of the challenges to existing Australian media law posed by social media.