News around the Nation

A selection of the news...

1. SA Labor supports same-sex 'marriage'
The SA branch of the Labor Party voted to endorse same-sex 'marriage' at its conference on the weekend. They motion asked the National conference to support same-sex 'marriage'.
Open lesbian Senator Penny Wong (SA), who previously supported the 'party line' of not endorsing same-sex 'marriage', has NOW stated she SUPPORTS same-sex 'marriage'.
Media report of the conference and Wong's position:
Wong backs SA Labor push on gay marriage SMH, 29/11/2010.

ALP branches in Victoria, the Northern Territory and Tasmania have already voted to support same-sex 'marriage'.

Bill in SA - The Greens and a Labor MP are planning a joint bill to legalise same-sex 'marriage' in SA. Tammy Franks from the Greens and Labor's Ian Hunter, an open homosexual, are planning to co-sponsor a bill to legalise same-sex 'marriage'.
Read media report: Greens, ALP joint push on same sex marriage - ABC - 11/11/2010.

2. Reporting on race and religion
The media frequent omits mentioning the race or religion of the alleged perpetrators of crimes.
In recent times Islamic groups have complained about the use of such descriptors - as well as the use of the word terrorist in the same sentence as the word Muslim or Islamic - especially in newspaper headings. See Press Council report. This means media outlets are frequently reticent to declare the race or religion of people.

Andrew Bolt reports on a recent example - What African? - 28/11/2010.
WA Media reports say, "POLICE say a ban on using ethnic or religious words to describe offenders is obstructing investigations... Officers can no longer use details such as a suspect’s nationality, race or religion when seeking public help. Instead, they have been told to say if the person is light or dark skinned… The Equal Opportunities Commission says the ban was introduced six months ago after complaints that using ethnic descriptions was racist…"

Following the riot in Cronulla, NSW, media reports (and Wikipedia) often talked of 'Middle Eastern appearance'. (see ABC report) Other reports mentioned Lebanese youth - rather than correctly identifying them as Lebanese Muslims - this meant that young Christian Lebanese people suffered from public perceptions that they were also involved. Keith Windschuttle explains the background - and the difference.