Adjudication No. 1006 (November 1998) [1998] APC 52

ADJUDICATION No. 1006 (November 1998)

The Australian Press Council has upheld in part complaints against the Northern Star, Lismore, NSW, made by Brendon Little and G J May.

They were concerned with a perceived lack of coverage of the minor parties during the recent Federal elections.

In particular they drew attention to the report on the inaugural meeting of the One Nation Party which was addressed by the local candidate, and attended by a reporter.

The newspaper's coverage of this event consisted of a photograph of two protesters, one of whom was the general manager of the local council, together with a report of his views on One Nation and its policies.

Nothing was reported about the content of the meeting nor was any attempt made to elicit a response from the local candidate.

In its response the newspaper acknowledged that the meeting was "significant" and that it was supplied a story by its reporter. However, it said that the story was not used due to "space restrictions" but conceded that "perhaps a more concerted effort to include it in our paper could have been made".

The Press Council agrees. Whilst a newspaper has every right to determine what it considers to be newsworthy there is a concomitant duty of fairness to at least seek a response from those who are the subject of critical newstories.

To the extent that the Northern Star did not, in this instance, the complaint is upheld.

However, on the general question of a perceived lack of coverage of minor parties, particularly One Nation, the paper provided all candidates with a document outlining its policy in reporting on the election. Additionally it sent a list of questions to all candidates. The fact that the One Nation candidate felt he could not answer them in the limited time given is no basis for criticism of the paper as it is apparent that other candidates were able to do so. This aspect of the complaints is dismissed.