Suggestion editor tried to bribe Australian Press Council exposed as a joke

THE government's suggestion that a former head of the APC was seriously offered a bribe by an editor has been exposed as a joke.

THE Gillard Government's suggestion that a former head of the Australian Press Council was seriously offered double funding by an editor in return for not having findings against his paper has been exposed as a joke.

Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, used the example of an offer to double contributions as evidence for the need to reform the Press Council and appoint a Public Interest Media Advocate.

Senator Conroy, when asked if it was "corrupt" on the ABC's Insiders on Sunday, replied "no" but the example was again used at the Senate hearings into the media reforms this week.

Labor Senator Doug Cameron repeatedly asked newspaper managers this week about the accusation that a newspaper editor offered to double his funding of the Australian Press Council if it agreed not to rule against him.

But the former head of the Australian Press Council, Professor Ken McKinnon, said tonight the conversation which he related to an inquiry into media standards was said jovially over a lunch.

In his evidence to the Finkelstein Inquiry into media standards, Professor McKinnon gave evidence about the newspaper industry and was critical of it.

The exchange linked to a possible suggestion of corrupt or bullying behaviour by an editor towards the council - was in evidence about the high standings of the council.

Professor McKinnon had told the Finkelstein Inquiry the council was not seen as soft on the industry and that having "editors grumbling about toughness wasn't that bad".

He said the council had to be "strong and fearless" and he related a conversation with a senior reporter who told him that: "Nobody likes being hauled before that body, forced to explain themselves and publish adverse findings."

Professor McKinnon then said: "One editor jovially once remarked that he would rather double his annual contribution than have a complaint upheld."

The exchange is recorded in Professor McKinnon's written notes which he gave to the Finkelstein Inquiry.

The Communications Minister and Senator Cameron both excluded the word "jovially". Senator Conroy said the "quotes" didn't "get a lot of coverage in the mainstream media".

"I am completely sure that I made clear to the inquiry that the comment being touted was in the context of the respect accorded to the council; it was a jovial phrase said over lunch," Professor McKinnon said.

News Ltd executives were asked at the committee hearings to check with Professor McKinnon on the basis for the remark.