Balibo murders and more...

Alliance welcomes AFP investigation into Balibo murders
The Alliance and the International Federation of Journalists have welcomed the decision by the Australian Federal Police, to launch an investigation into the deaths of the Balibo Five in October 1975. "Too many journalists are killed while doing their duty to bring us important stories from dangerous places," Chris Warren said. "It is important for our craft that the people who were responsible for these murders be identified and, if possible, brought to justice for this shocking crime." See http://tinyurl.com/om6c6h

Awards get a make over
As a result of the Government’s recent award modernisation process all journalists working in print and online media will be covered by a modern award. The Journalists Published Media Award and the Broadcasting and Recorded Entertainment Award will underpin collective agreements, just as our existing awards do now. The difference is that agreements will be subject to a “Better Off” test against the relevant award. To see an Alliance fact sheet about what it means for you, go to http://tinyurl.com/pgevq7

QLD Photography Competition
Attention Queensland Photographers! Use your artistic talents to raise awareness about poverty and social exclusion in the community. The Welfare Rights Centre is hosting a community awareness campaign where everyone has an opportunity to participate and win $500 cash. For terms and conditions go to www.sceneandunseen.com

Join the debate
News organisations are trying all sorts of new ways of generating revenue, but - according to Guardian guru Emily Bell - success stories are thin on the ground. Join the debate at www.thefutureofjournalism.org.au and keep track of the best news and analysis from around the world at the daily Reading List.

Journalism and social media
Media140 is a series of high-level conferences moving around the world from the UK, to India, to Australia. Alliance Federal Secretary, Christopher Warren, joins a top line up at the ABC's Eugene Goosens Hall on November 5 and 6 to discuss journalism in the age of social media. Check out the event here http://media140.com/sydney/

NYT reporter rescued
A New York Times reporter held by the Taliban in Afghanistan was freed this week during a dramatic military operation, in which his Afghan colleague was killed. Gunmen snatched Stephen Farrell and Sultan Munad last Saturday while they were reporting on a controversial American air strike. The IFJ has called on Nato leadership in Afghanistan to investigate the circumstances which led to Sultan's killing and engage with Afghan Association of Journalists on their safety needs. Read more here http://tinyurl.com/nupe3o

ABC defends BBC
ABC managing director Mark Scott has come to the defence of Britain’s public broadcaster following James Murdoch’s public attack last month. Murdoch’s claim that there is no longer a place for a free, public news services “sounds like a bad idea is because it is a bad idea.” Scott said. See his speech here http://tinyurl.com/l369tj

Courtesy of Australia's Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.