Key facts
- The ABC and Guardian Australia were barred from a One Nation press conference in Victoria.
- One Nation's state leader, Warren Pickering, admitted to illegal drug use and drink driving at the event.
- One Nation's national party director, James Ashby, compared the party's relationship with the ABC to 'domestic violence'.
- ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks called the ban an attempt to avoid scrutiny and control media.
- Guardian Australia Editor David Munk stated the public deserves better from elected politicians and their representatives.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Guardian Australia have publicly called on the One Nation party to reverse its policy of banning select media outlets from press conferences, warning that the party is engaging in censorship and actively avoiding public scrutiny. Both outlets were denied entry to a One Nation press conference held in Victoria on Tuesday, an event where the party's state leader, Warren Pickering, admitted to illegal drug use and drink driving.
Reporters from Guardian Australia and the ABC were initially escorted to the event at Crown Melbourne by hotel staff but were subsequently asked to leave by One Nation's national party director, James Ashby, and escorted out by security. The interaction was recorded by both the ABC and the Herald Sun. Other outlets, including The Age, have also faced rejection from One Nation events, while The Australian, which initially reported on the Pickering story, was denied entry to a separate event last month.
In August, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson had previously blocked the ABC, The Age, and The Guardian from attending the announcement of her party's Victorian election candidates, claiming the ABC did not provide 'fair' reporting. During that event, Hanson expressed satisfaction with Rebel News, a right-wing website whose representative was present.
ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks stated that 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 also referenced comments made by Ashby on the Today show, where he compared One Nation's relationship with the ABC to 'domestic violence' and suggested the party did not want 'morally bankrupt or corrupt media organisations' present. Marks deemed Ashby's comments 'inappropriate and offensive.'
Guardian Australia's editor, David Munk, supported the ABC's condemnation of Ashby's remarks, stating that the Australian public deserves better from politicians. He emphasized the vital role of journalism in a healthy democracy and the necessity of being able to question politicians to ensure the public receives accurate information. The Guardian has previously reported extensively on One Nation's finances, governance, and backing from Gina Rinehart. The Alliance for Journalists' Freedom executive director, Peter Greste, added that any politician deciding who scrutinizes them is practicing censorship, which is unacceptable in a democracy.