Media and political complacency is letting Pauline Hanson re-write the rules on accountability
The media have the power to make Hanson’s tyrannical attitudes and behaviour a central issue, and their failure to use this power has only emboldened her.
The Australian media is allowing One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to rewrite the rules on accountability, according to a recent report. This comes after the party banned the ABC and two major newspapers from attending a press conference announcing candidates for the Victorian state election. Similar bans have been imposed on the ABC and other media outlets since May.
While polls indicate significant support for One Nation, the media's silence on the issue allows Hanson to potentially grow her support, creating a vicious cycle. The phenomenon is likened to the Overton window in political theory, where previously unacceptable ideas can become acceptable under certain conditions. In Australia, public figures do not typically decide who covers them and under what circumstances, especially during election time.
However, Hanson is using this to her advantage, shifting the Overton window by promoting racist and divisive statements. Only one media figure, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, has spoken out against Hanson's behavior. The media has the power to challenge Hanson's tyrannical actions, but they have been complacent so far. Southern Cross Media, a major Australian media organization, is caught in the crossfire as Hanson's benefactor, Gina Rinehart, is investing heavily in the company.
The media must decide whether to confront Hanson and One Nation's attempts to control journalism or face the consequences of their inaction.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
