Theme There is an historical richness in the varied approaches researchers have adopted to explain the significance of the relationship between politics and the media and the interplay between them and the publics they seek to influence.       This conference will accentuate these many strands of contact – the role of political journalism, government relations with the media, historical pulls between the power of policy makers and the power of media barons – the history of media political traditions. Although this conference, in the setting of Old Parliament House “and in the shadow of the new”, seeks a dominant political/media theme, papers are also very welcome on other aspects of media history.       The title “Australian Media Traditions”, accentuates the significance of “Australian” in the media history explored but comparative international history and recognition of the importance of a broader global approach to key research areas of media history is encouraged.       Around Old Parliament House are many national research institutions that remind researchers of the many possibilities available in the study of Australian media traditions. Organizers encourage participants to highlight the sources and values of these institutions in their papers. For example, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, Screensound Australia, the Australian War Memorial and the Noel Butlin Archives Centre.       The University of Canberra, particularly the School of Professional Communication, and Old Parliament House look forward to welcoming you all to Canberra in November for a stimulating conference that will make a significant addition to Australian research and publication of media history, especially media political history.   Conference details and contacts