Trump’s decision to ban journalists from the White House – and One Nation’s actions – shows why Australia urgently needs a media freedom bill | Peter Greste
Australians can’t afford to be complacent – Pauline Hanson also thinks it’s OK to shut out reporters she doesn’t like.
Governments wield power; media monitor and report on it.
At the weekend, Donald Trump banned journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House.
In solidarity, four other big US broadcasters who routinely film and distribute White House events on behalf of the media have suspended what’s known as the press pool.
The ABC discovered that to its cost when it tried and failed to use the implied freedom to overturn a search warrant that the Australian federal police used in 2019 when it investigated the broadcaster’s Afghan Files reporting.
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Summarized version
In solidarity, four other big US broadcasters who routinely film and distribute White House events on behalf of the media have suspended what’s known as the press pool. One Nation also thinks it is OK to ban journalists.
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“Peter Greste” is named in the headline. We could not find it in the report.
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The article, shortened and in plain language
Australians can’t afford to be complacent – Pauline Hanson also thinks it’s OK to shut out reporters she doesn’t like.
The relationship between media and governments has always been fractious, combative, resentful and at times hostile. Governments wield power; media monitor and report on it.
Formal checks and balances will only go so far in exposing abuses of power, so the system needs vigorous, professional and independent people devoted to investigating and reporting how governments behave.
At the weekend, Donald Trump banned journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House.
Barack Obama articulated it well in a response at the weekend.
In solidarity, four other big US broadcasters who routinely film and distribute White House events on behalf of the media have suspended what’s known as the press pool.
The White House’s own feed and others will still cover the events but it is an escalation of the administration’s attacks on media coverage it doesn’t like.
In the US, the three news organisations have gone to the district court to challenge the ban as a violation of their First Amendment rights.
The ABC discovered that to its cost when it tried and failed to use the implied freedom to overturn a search warrant that the Australian federal police used in 2019 when it investigated the broadcaster’s Afghan Files reporting.
Trump said he would probably lose the lawsuit brought by the three media organisations and expected to “go for appeal”.
Trump’s attack on press freedom is an inflection point – one that shows how far democratic norms have shifted under his presidency.
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