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MLRC Australia Media Lawyers Conference

January 28, 2026
Minter Ellison, Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney (map)

Join media lawyers from Australia, Europe, 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.

Conference includes:

  • Networking receptions on Jan. 27 (hosted by Gadens) and Jan. 28 (hosted by Thomson Geer)
  • Light breakfast and lunch during the conference (hosted by Minter Ellison)
  • And for in-house lawyers only, a breakfast on Jan. 29 to discuss practical issues concerning legal and business issues (hosted by ABC)

Registration

Registration for the Conference is $250 U.S. ($100 for academics). If you are buying more than 5 places, additional registrations are at a discount of $150. Please email for more information. In additional, email to request a need based fee waiver.

Pay by credit card at this link (you will be charged in U.S. dollars)

To pay by bank transfer email: jseiden@medialaw.org

Conference Program

Tuesday January 27
5:30-8:00pm Reception at Gadens, Level 29, 8 Chifley Square, Sydney

Wednesday January 28

9:00 Arrival and Registration at Minter Ellison
Level 40, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney

9:25 Welcoming Remarks

9:30-10:20 Views from the Bench
Judicial views on the media and free speech.
With The Honourable Peter Applegarth AM, Supreme Court Queensland (retired); and Judge Judith Gibson, District Court NSW (retired); Honourable Justice Michael Lee, Federal Court of Australia
Moderator: Dauid Sibtain SC, Level 22 Chambers

10:30-11:20 Investigative Journalism: Truth, the Public Interest Defence, and Protection of Confidential Sources
Are recent cases forging a new path to protect the press?
With Lyndelle Barnett SC, Level 22 Chambers ; Sandip Mukerjea, Dever’s List, Victorian Bar; Samantha Maiden, political editor for news.com.au
Moderator: Marlia Saunders, Thomson Geer

11:30-12:20 Privacy Law in Australia
Six months in, where have we landed? How does the law compare to England and the US?
With Matthew Lewis SC; Matthew Richardson SC; Dean Levitan, Minter Ellison
Moderator: Gina McWilliams, News Corp. Australia

12:30-1:20 AI, Deepfakes, & IP Liability
Discussion of emerging AI & IP legal and policy issues.
With Grant McAvaney, Head of Litigation News Corp. Australia & Dave Heller, MLRC

1:20-2:30 Lunch and Discussion: Trump, Democracy, & the Press
American lawyers’ perspectives on developments in the U.S.

2:30-3:20 Targeting Journalists and Media Lawyers
Legal and extrajudicial attacks on journalists and their lawyers.
With Larina Alick, Nine Network; Charlotte Grieve, investigative journalist The Age; Sean Fewster, Chief Court Reporter, The Advertiser
Moderator: Peter Bartlett, Minter Ellison

3:30-4:20 Free Speech, Hate Speech and the Limits of Free Expression
Is Australia’s regulation of online speech and offensive speech chilling free expression?
With Kieran Pender, Human Rights Law Centre; Harry Melkonian, Melkonian & Co.; Allegra Spender MP (Independent MP Wentworth); Kiah Officer, ABC
Moderator: Marina Olsen, Gadens

4:30-5:20 Interactive Vetting Exercise
Group discussion of a hypothetical news article raising comparative defamation, privacy, and other issues.
With George Freeman, MLRC. Discussants include Joel Weiner, Katten (Los Angeles)

5:40-8:00 Reception at Thomson Geer, Level 14, 60 Martin Place, Sydney.