University of Queensland, School of Journalism and Communication
Abstract
Many observers saw coverage of the so-called Cape Melville affair as a post-Fitzgerald litmus test of the Brisbane media's watchdog duties with a government regarded as popular and competent. But who was watching the watchdogs? Conflicting news judgments could easily be detected on the importance of allegations embroiling two of the Premier's closest confidantes. The state Opposition sensed a scandal but a Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) inquiry cleared the Premier's staff of any wrongdoing. In media circles the story created special interest because those who distributed the 'chook feed' were coming under direct public scrutiny by 'the chooks'. An examination of the coverage raises questions about the symbiotic relationship between government and the media which was canvassed in the 1993 Electoral and Administrative Review Commission (EARC) report
