The Age Independence Committee consists of journalists from all sections of The Age newspaper. It is supported by the entire staff. The committee’s mission is to protect the integrity, independence and quality of The Age.
The committee has recently been reconstituted because of serious concerns about the impact of the Federal Government’s plans to change media laws.
Such plans could result in The Age becoming foreign-owned or being part of a multi-media conglomerate that caters for radio, television as well as print.
The Age Independence Committee continues to strongly endorse The Age Charter of Editorial Independence. The charter was conceived in 1988 as part of a campaign to prevent British press tycoon Robert Maxwell from taking over the newspaper.
The charter was signed by the then editor of The Age and eventually endorsed by the Fairfax board. We would expect any new owner to sign the charter.
The Age Independence Committee is determined to ensure that editorial control of The Age remain in Melbourne so that the newspaper can reflect the concerns, hopes and aspirations of all Victorians.
As at May 2007, the committee members are:
JO CHANDLER (acting chair),
BILL BIRNBAUER,
SIMON MANN,
MICHAEL SHMITH,
MICHAEL SHORT,
SUSHI DAS,
LEON GETTLER,
RAY CASSIN,
BARNEY ZWARTZ,
RUSSELL SKELTON,
GREG BAUM,
STEVE WALDON,
ROS GUY,
DANIELLA MILETIC,
JESSE HOGAN,
MARC MONCRIEF,
JOHN SPOONER