Australia PM signals changes to media reforms after outrage

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday opened the way for “sensible” changes to proposed press reforms, after outraged media proprietors attacked them as “draconian” and “bad law”.

The reforms, which will include a new public interest test for major mergers and stronger self-regulation requirements for the print media, arose from Britain’s phone-hacking scandal.

They have provoked a fierce backlash from media groups including Rupert Murdoch’s News Limited with one of its tabloid likening Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to Joseph Stalin and other dictators.

Gillard appeared to leave the way open for change as parliamentary committees examining the legislation began in Canberra.

“Our intention remains to pursue the legislation that is before the parliament now,” she told journalists.

“If there are sensible suggestions consistent with our reform intentions that come out of the parliamentary committee process then certainly we will listen to those.

“But we’re not in the business of cross-trading or horse-trading on these bills.”