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News Outlets Call on One Nation to Reverse Media Ban Amid Censorship Concerns
Developing
In Short: News outlets have condemned One Nation for barring select media from press conferences, warning of censorship and a lack of public scrutiny.
News outlets have condemned One Nation for barring select media from press conferences, warning of censorship and a lack of public scrutiny. The ABC and The Guardian have called on the party to reverse its ban, citing concerns over the practice of censorship and the right of Australians to information about political candidates.
Guardian Australia’s editor, David Munk, supported the ABC in condemning offensive comments made by party director James Ashby, who compared the relationship with the ABC to 'domestic violence.' The Guardian has reported extensively on One Nation’s internal finances and political relationships, including substantial financial backing from Gina Rinehart.
Both outlets were asked to leave a One Nation press conference in Victoria on Tuesday. Reporters from Guardian Australia and the ABC were escorted out by security after identifying themselves, while The Australian was denied entry to a One Nation event in Sale, Victoria, last month.
What's still developing
- Speaking at the U.N. July 1, Ambassador Jeff Bartos said donors could continue supporting United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugee or choose a framework offering Gazans "peace, prosperity and real durable change." (Credit: UNTV) Another European nation has stopped funding the U.N. agency that aids the Palestinians.
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), is presently being investigated for ties to the terrorist rulers of Gaza.
- While other nations still continue to fund UNRWA, President Donald Trump fully banned funding to the organization in February 2025, and Sweden ended funding to UNRWA in December 2024.
- In August, Pauline Hanson blocked the ABC, the Age and the Guardian from the announcement of her party’s Victorian election candidates in a tense press conference where she claimed the ABC didn’t provide “fair” reporting.
- The ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, said the exclusion of the ABC and the Guardian “hinders the legitimate right of Australians to information about a party and its nominees who are seeking election to public office”.
- He said One Nation didn’t want “morally bankrupt or corrupt media organisations coming into a room”.
- “When Warren Pickering said he would rather ban a media outlet than face greater scrutiny, he directly threatened to weaken our democratic system and our right as voters to know what is going on,” he said in a statement.
- The interaction was recorded by both the ABC and the Herald Sun, with the latter immediately posting about it on social media.
Sources
- The Guardianlink