"Our democracy depends on diverse sources of reliable, accurate and independent news. But media ownership is becoming more concentrated alongside new business models that encourage deliberately polarising and politically manipulated news."

The RSA is a strong supporter of an open society and an open society is only possible if there is genuine freedom of information. As history has shown, a narrowly controlled media dangerously undermines everyone's right to access a range of information sources that is so necessary for genuine freedom of thought.

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has launched an official petition, calling on the federal parliament to establish a Royal Commission into media diversity, accuracy and independence in Australia. The RSA strongly supports such the establishment of such a Royal Commission.

Mr Rudd has also published an impassioned video describing why he believes Australia needs this Royal Commission. And there is further information on a website. You can see both by clicking the links below.

Only a Royal Commission would have the necessary powers and independence to investigate threats to media diversity, and recommend policies to ensure not only diversity but genuine freedom of accurate, independent information that is so crucial to a liberal, free and independent nation.

Please join with us to support this petition.