Rock climb closure: total government control of media

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By ERWIN CHLANDA
 
When one of the world’s great tourism adventures, climbing Uluru, will be stopped in a week’s time, news media covering the closure will be operating under a regime akin to a totalitarian state: A public servant will have the power to declare what is news and what is not.
 
As the Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park, Commercial Image and Media Capture Handbook makes clear, “News of the day is declared by the Director of National Parks or a nominated representative.
 
“For coverage of events that are not classified as news of the day, media organisations need to apply for a permit, licence or accreditation.”
 
That means if a journalist uses her or his news judgment to cover something the director has not deigned to declare as “news of the day,” a permit will be required that may oblige journalistic images to be submitted for approval by Parks Australia, which is part of the Federal Department of the Environment and Energy.
 
From the handbook:
 
“Ensure you follow the protocols for working in the park, otherwise your image or footage may not be approved for use.”
 
“Only shooting from marked tracks and roads means you’ll also have a greater chance of your images being approved.
 
Left: Spot the difference.
 
“Compositing or photoshopping images is not permitted – you must represent the features of the landscape true-to-life.
 
“Contact Media Office to assess and approve [an] image.
 
“By obscuring [restricted features of The Rock] behind a bush, tree, person or subject, the detail of the sacred site is then hidden and would be approved.”
 
And so on.
 
Absurdly, none this applies to the plethora of images of the event that will be flooding the world’s social media, especially as thousands of visitors are rushing to The Rock for a last chance to climb, making a mockery of claims that it it not hugely in demand: “If you are an amateur photographer or visitor taking or sharing images or footage in or of the park for personal use and not for commercial purposes, you do not have to follow the Guidelines,” says the handbook.
 
But professional media are subjected to a string of restrictions, making large areas of The Rock and Kata Tjuṯa off-limits:
 
“Do not show sensitive sites. Reduce contrast and lighting to hide the detail of the shot.”
 
The northeastern face cannot be filmed or photographed at all (at right: shaded section shows that area).
 
All five domes of Kata Tjuṯa (the Olgas)  must be shown from the viewing area to the south.
 
Images from the west must include at least three complete domes.
 
Both sides of the gorge must be in the shot at all times.
 
Filming for commercial purposes is banned in the Valley of the Winds.
 
There is more media manipulation: The Alice Springs News has learned that statements from Sammy Wilson, chair of the park’s board of management, are being pre-packaged by Parks Australia, rather than Mr Wilson being present to take questions from journalists.
 
The News emailed emailed Parks media on October 12 requesting an interview with Mr Wilson. We’ve had no response, not even an acknowledgement of the email.
 
 
 

9 COMMENTS

  1. It’s time the faceless people behind these crazy directives were identified and their agendas spotlighted.

  2. Australia is changing, in some cases for the better, in some not.
    Might move to North Korea for some freedom.

  3. Statements from Sammy Wilson are pre-packaged by Parks Australia you say – bit like politicians have their speech pre-package wouldn’t you say, except that can’t apply to a black person it appears.
    White people have taken over the whole planet and stuffed it up good and proper and yet you still want more.
    Your greed holds no bounds nor respect for other cultures and in this case, the oldest on the planet that you have made no effort to understand.
    Has to be all your way.
    As you would say to a black person (Aboriginal) get over it, the sky is not falling in.

  4. @ “David”: During its entire quarter-century history (so far!) the Alice Springs News has drawn attention to the bastardisation of our democracy by elected persons – black or white – who slink away from being transparent and hide behind their unelected minders. Be assured “David” we’ll continue to do so.
    Erwin Chlanda, Editor

  5. @ Paul. Maybe it is payback time: Europeans colonisers imposed their religion, economics, and medicinal practices on the natives often by force.

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