Councillor Chris Harris

In the face of national concentration of media ownership among a few big players, Council on Monday night struck a blow against small independent media in Sydney.

By a majority of 8-2, Council voted to impose onerous charges and red tape requirements on the distribution of newspapers on Sydney footpaths. Only Crs Harris and Firth (Labor) opposed the policy.

Strong lobbying by independent media for a system of newspaper racks similar to those adopted in other world cities was deferred for ‘investigation’ by staff.

However it is understood that racks are seen as ‘clutter’ by Lord Mayor Clover Moore and others and so have little chance of getting up.

Bizarrely, advertising handbills and the like can be handed out freely under the policy.

The policy extends charges currently paid to Council by News Ltd’s mX title.

“This policy will suit News Ltd perfectly,” said Greens Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Harris.

“This global corporation has a history of predatory pricing practices and is able to run at a loss indefinitely until any opposition is wiped out.

“Given that News Ltd already owns Cumberland publications like The Glebe, as well as all the Courier titles, I find it incredible that Council has acted to further close the field to competitors,” he said.

“Distribution fees and DA requirements present a massive barrier to any new or existing smaller operators. Publishing is a difficult game and community newspapers depend on advertising sales for survival. These council fees will have to be passed on to advertisers and in turn to Sydney residents.

“This policy is represents a conservative policy endorsed by our supposedly progressive Lord Mayor. It is a blow against free speech and consequently a blow against democracy.

“I’ll wager that none of these free speech issues are mentioned in Clover’s newsletters” said Cr Harris

Exempted from charges under the policy are advertising handbills, electioneering material and charitable enterprises such as The Big Issue.

For those distributing election material, an A-frame display and a card table are conditionally allowed outside the CBD but banned within it.

Cr Harris: “Here we are regulating the distribution of political material. In my view this breaches the principle of “Freedom of political expression” that was established by the High Court. I think that it is outside our authority.”

Any newspaper distributing more than 40 days per year must apply for a DA as well as pay fees of $35 per distribution site per day within the CBD, and an $18 fee outside the CBD. The DA process involves providing plan drawings for every site.

Cr Chris Harris: “This will draw in publications like Green Left Weekly – a socialist publication. Whether or not you agree with the politics of this paper is not the point. It has a long and colourful history in Sydney and should not be manacled by a City Council that seems obsessed with controlling everything. I see them occasionally outside Town Hall with a table laden with socialist books and publications. This kind of activity brings life and excitement to Sydney and I’m at a loss to understand why we would want to stop it.”

The policy is ambiguous about a political party distributing something in the form of a newspaper, such as the Green Voice title currently being distributed by The Greens. Is it a newspaper and therefore subject to charges, or a ‘news sheet’ and therefore classified as exempt?

“This policy is objectionable because it places unnecessary restrictions on free speech and panders to the media giants. I will continue to campaign to overturn this policy” concluded Cr Harris