The Racial Hatred Act: Contents
In a television interview in September 1996,
Sir Ronald Wilson, President
of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, said:
  |
The campaign in recent months against political correctness is really a campaign, as I see it, in favour of freedom to vilify minorities. The majority, which has been thought in this campaign to have been neglected, has never needed the protection that marginalised groups need. And the whole purpose of growing into a fairer Australia, an Australia that respects human rights and respects each other as having a basic human dignity whatever their status and position... that grand purpose is being denied by those who criticise political correctness. Free speech has never been a licence for vilification. |
 |
The Racial Hatred Act
Introduction: Zita Antonios, Race Discrimination
CommissionerWhy was the Racial Hatred Act introduced?
The Racial Hatred Act What
is it and what does it mean for people working in the media?What sort of behaviour is unlawful?
What are the implications for the
media?Does the new legislation affect freedom
of speech and expression?What is the difference between defamation
and racial hatred legislation?What happens if a complaint is brought
against a journalist or a media organisation?Are the penalties for racial hatred
criminal or civil?Some responses to common misconceptions
about the racial hatred legislationReporting Race Issues Robert
PullanFree Speech Comes At A Price Hugh Mackay
The case studies
Media Reports an introduction to the case
studies1. An Australian Muslim's experience of the media
2. Myth or Fact? Stereotyping and Indigenous Australians
3. Pauline Hanson's maiden speech
4. I don't know what I can laugh at anymore
5. Turning research findings into copy - a process
of selectionThe
Racial Hatred Act (statute)HREOC contact for more information or hard copy
of this quide
