AEC clears Gazette News of election law breach amid Coalition complaint
The Australian Electoral Commission has cleared the local news upstart, funded by donors to Climate 200, of breaching election laws following a Coalition complaint.
The Australian elections watchdog has cleared Gazette News, a local news upstart backed by donors to the political investment vehicle Climate 200, of breaching election laws following a Coalition complaint.
The Australian Electoral Commission made the determination following a review of complaints made by Coalition Senator Jane Hume, who argued that the local news outfit may be in breach of laws because it was paying to boost positive coverage of independents.
A spokesperson for the AEC said the commission does not consider Gazette News’ reporting an electoral matter and is therefore not subject to authorisation requirements.
“It should also be noted that electoral matter is defined by the Electoral Act to exclude the reporting of news, presenting of current affairs, or any genuine editorial content in news media,” the AEC spokesperson said.
