Polling day news ban under fire

Changes to the state’s electoral act banning newspaper reporting on election day heated up state parliament on Thursday.

Changes to the state’s electoral act were debated in state parliament Thursday, with Attorney-General Elise Archer said the laws were the first tranche of reforms to the Electoral Act. Picture: SUPPLIED

ARCHAIC laws banning newspaper reporting on election day are on their way to being repealed.

Changes to the state’s electoral act were debated in state parliament Thursday.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said the laws were the first tranche of reforms to the Electoral Act.

The threat of three months jail and fines of up to $15,900 for newspaper reporting will now be a thing of the past.

Page 1 of the Mercury on Election day 2018

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The Mercury sought changes to the laws — most notably in a front page apology to readers for a lack of coverage on the day of the March 2018 state election.

“It has long been seen as being anachronistic and an unfair fetter on the ability of newspapers to report or comment on election issues and candidates on Election Day,” Ms Archer said.

“During consultation on the Terms of Reference for the Review, there was strong support for the removal of this provision — particularly in relation to the restriction on newspaper reporting and commentary.

“The general consensus was that the ban is outdated and unfairly penalises newspapers given that it does not apply to other forms of media such as online and social media platforms.

“No other Australian jurisdiction prohibits newspaper commentary and reporting on Election Day.”

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The bill, supported by all three parties in the House of Assembly, will now be considered by the Legislative Council.

Labor’s legal spokeswoman Ella Haddad said the changes were overdue.

“For a long time it’s been a little bamboozling for Tasmanians to see that social media can continue on polling day … yet there has been a blanket ban on newspaper media coverage,” she said.

“I think it’s a positive thing that section of the act has now been amended and we can expect to see quality media coverage right up to the close of the polls next time around.

She called for improvements to the disclosure of donations: including lower thresholds for declaration and more frequent disclosures.

A second tranche of changes — particularly in relation to donations — is expected before the end of the year.

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