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MLRC Media Lawyers Conference

Join media lawyers from Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the U.S. for a full day of discussion and networking about media law and policy and how media lawyers can strengthen cross-border ties to better defend a free press.

January 29, 2024
Sydney, Australia

Conference Highlights

  • Impact of the Ben Roberts Smith Case.
    Nick McKenzie – Multi Award winning Investigative Journalist and co- author of the Ben Robert-Smith revelations.
    Larina Alick – Executive Counsel, Nine Network, In-House Counsel overseeing the BRS defence.
    Grant McAvaney – Head of Litigation, News Limited.
    Moderator: Peter Bartlett, partner Minter Ellison

  • Investigative Journalists and the Law: Is Australian law chilling investigative reporting & causing self-censorship?
    Hedley Thomas – Australian investigative journalist and author, who writes and produces podcasts for The Australian.
    Kate McClymont – chief investigative reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.
    Edmund Tadros – professional services editor at The Australian Financial Review.
    Kieran Pender – senior lawyer in the Democratic Freedoms team at the Human Law Centre.
    Moderator: Marlia Saunders – partner, Thomas Geer

  • Press Freedom in Asia
    Cheng Lei, Australian journalist who was held in Beijing for more than three years.
    H.R. Dipendra, media lawyer Malaysia
    Moderator: Michael Cameron, Head of Legal, News Limited.

  • Lunch with speakers: Update on the Assange Prosecution; Trump Trials and Free Speech.

  • Vetting of a Hypothetical News Article: Australian vs. UK vs. US media law with an international panel of discussants.

  • Australian Judges: Media Law & the Press
    Moderator: Marina Olsen, Banki Haddock Fiora

  • In-House Counsel Breakfast (Jan. 30): Discussion of practical issues concerning the provision of pre-publication and pre-broadcast legal advice.

Registration & Location

  • Conference includes light breakfast, lunch, and reception on Jan. 29. Plus Jan. 28 reception and dinner in Vaucluse. In-house Counsel Breakfast on Jan. 30.
  • Registration is $200 US. Discounted registration for academics is $100 US.
  • Register and pay online via credit card. Your credit card will be charged in U.S. dollars. To register and pay via invoice and bank transfer please email: medialaw@medialaw.org.     
  • Location: Minter Ellison, Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney 2000 Australia

Conference Supporters
Minter Ellison
Banki Haddock Fiora • Melkonian & Co. • Thomson Geer