An independent press is vital to democracy
The Age must remain free from manipulation. It must continue to present the news honestly and without fear or favour. It must not become an organ to peddle the views of a person, a political party or an interest group.
— March 28, 1988
This was the rallying call of a distinguished group of community leaders almost 25 years ago when it perceived The Age’s integrity to be under threat. The public declaration contributed to the creation of The Age Charter of Editorial Independence (www.maintainyourage.org).
The charter defines the culture of Fairfax journalism and is recognised by the Fairfax Media board as critical to the value of the company.
We, the undersigned, believe that the principles enunciated in the charter once again merit strenuous protection. Any constraint on editorial independence inhibits the ability of journalists to report without fear of favour, a crucial element of a vibrant and healthy democracy.
The charter protects journalists from external pressure and it vests in them a responsibility “to report and comment on the affairs of the city, state, nation and the world fairly and accurately and regardless of any commercial, personal or political interests, including those of any shareholder, director, manager, editor or staff member”.
This principle fosters public trust in The Age’s journalism. It underpins the commercial value of a proud 158-year-old masthead and encourages a flourishing public discourse.
The charter defines the culture of Fairfax journalism and is recognised by the Fairfax Media board as critical to the value of the company.
We, the undersigned, believe that the principles enunciated in the charter once again merit strenuous protection. Any constraint on editorial independence inhibits the ability of journalists to report without fear of favour, a crucial element of a vibrant and healthy democracy.
The charter protects journalists from external pressure and it vests in them a responsibility “to report and comment on the affairs of the city, state, nation and the world fairly and accurately and regardless of any commercial, personal or political interests, including those of any shareholder, director, manager, editor or staff member”.
This principle fosters public trust in The Age’s journalism. It underpins the commercial value of a proud 158-year-old masthead and encourages a flourishing public discourse.
Louise Adler AM, publisher, MUP
Dennis Altman AM FASSA, professor, La Trobe University
Julian Assange, Wikileaks founder
Clare Bowditch, singer;
Steve Bracks AC, Victorian Premier 1999-2007
Julian Burnside AO, QC, barrister
John Cain, Victorian Premier 1982-90
Matt Cameron, playwright
Glyn Davis AM, Vice-Chancellor, University of Melbourne
Jane den Hollander, Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University
John Denton, architect
Peter Doherty AC, Nobel Prize winning scientist
Gareth Evans AC, QC, Chancellor, Australian National University
Jacob Fajgenbaum, QC, barrister
Alan Finkel AM, Chancellor, Monash University
Elizabeth Finkel, co-founder Cosmos Magazine
Richard Flanagan, author
Tim Flannery, scientist
Malcolm Fraser AC, Prime Minister, 1975-1983
Mark Fraser, chairman, Bonhams (Australia)
Ian Freckelton, SC, barrister and academic
Philip Freier, Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne
Michael Gawenda, Age editor 1997-2004
Petro Georgiou, MHR (Liberal) Kooyong 1994-2010
Max Gillies AM, actor
Peter Gordon, lawyer
Germaine Greer, writer and academic
Doug Hall AM, Australian Commissioner, Venice Biennale 2009 & 2011
Steve Hambleton, AMA President
Sonya Hartnett, author
Andrew Hewett, Executive Director, Oxfam
Michael Heyward, publisher, Text Publishing Company
Chloe Hooper, author
Shane Howard, singer-songwriter
Peter Jopling, QC, barrister
Sarah Joseph, director, Castan Centre for Human Rights
David Karoly, scientist
Ged Kearney, ACTU President
Paul Kelly, songwriter
Joan Kirner AC, Victorian Premier 1990-92
Ranald Macdonald, former managing editor, The Age
Patrick McCaughey, director, Melbourne University’s Festival of Ideas
Barry McGaw AO, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, Melbourne University
Simon McKeon AO, Executive Chairman (Melbourne) Macquarie Group
Fiona McLeod, SC, barrister
Ron Merkel, QC, barrister, former Federal Court judge
Joanna Murray-Smith, playwright
Christine Nixon APM, retired Chief Commissioner Victoria Police
Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE, professor emeritus, University of Melbourne
Lady Lyn Nossal
Norman O’Bryan AM, SC, barrister
Dave Oliver, ACTU Secretary
George Pappas, Chairman, Committee for Melbourne & Chancellor, Victoria University
Guy Pearce, actor
Michael Pearce, SC, barrister, past president Liberty Victoria
Ian Ramsay, professor, commercial law, University of Melbourne
Hannie Rayson, playwright
Robert Richter, QC, barrister
Matthew Ricketson, professor, Canberra University
Geoffrey Rush, actor
Charles Scerri, QC, barrister
Fred Schepisi, director
Morry Schwartz, publisher, The Monthly and Quarterly Essay
Mike Smith, Age editor 1989-1992
Sigrid Thornton, actress
Neil Young, QC, former Federal Court judge
