Freedom of the press is one of the many freedoms we enjoy in Australia. Apparently, that is, if you don’t live in the Northern Territory, where Chief Minister Michael Gunner recently ‘banned’ a legitimate news outlet that employs a legitimate and well-known journalist.
I’ve been criticised in the past for suggesting that journalists themselves need to be accountable and uphold the law. Those who have, or who are breaking the law, should face prosecution, just like anyone else in our great country.
I stand by those comments because laws are what we have in a modern democracy to ensure we can enjoy the freedoms and protections we value. Furthermore, these elements are fundamental to our much-celebrated freedoms and democracy that have shaped the development of Australia.
Yet last week, in scenes reminiscent of a tin-pot dictator character from a B-grade movie, staff in the office of the Chief Minister sought to muzzle one specific news outlet.
Upon hearing this extraordinary news my first thought was “what is Michael Gunner afraid of? Why would he try to silence elements of the media?” It is not difficult to arrive at answers to these questions rather quickly, particularly in an election year where image is everything.
Gunner Government not ‘open and transparent’
Mr Gunner came to government on the mantra of “open and transparent” governance but to date he has failed to deliver either. Worse, we have all seen countless examples, exposed by a range of media outlets in the Northern Territory, of Mr Gunner’s government actively working to manipulate “image” at the expense of the truth:
- Assurances of 120 additional Police being delivered is a bad joke, just ask any serving Police officer
- Speaking about decreasing levels of crime is guaranteed to draw guffaws from thousands who are victims of crime
- He is yet to realise his perpetual lie about decreased GST funding doesn’t account for his inability to stop spending money he doesn’t have.
- A hiring freeze on Public Servants has become an annual event, averaging a net gain of about 300 more employees each year.
- Secrecy around the almost incestuous hiring habits on the 5th floor
This is a list that goes on …
Freedom is not free, freedom comes with great responsibility. Journalists and media outlets have an inherent responsibility to be truthful, fair and impartial. They are expected to obey the law and operate within the spirit of unbiased behaviour.
I am therefore dumbfounded that the Gunner Government has taken the extraordinary step of excluding the newly formed media outlet, NT Independent, from press releases and conferences. The excluded journalist Christopher Walsh is a very well-known journalist in the Northern Territory, credited by some for his role in bringing down the last CLP Government. The irony of me speaking in support of him is not lost on me, but this is not a personal matter, it is far more serious.
The actions of Chief Minister Gunner make it very clear he seeks to undermine the fundamental freedoms of Australians. These actions are designed to protect the machine that shapes the information his government provides. These actions are part of the ploy to mislead you, the public.
To deliberately try to avoid scrutiny is to admit wrongdoing, forming part of a lie to the public.
Dr Sam McMahon
If a locally owned, legitimate media outlet with an experienced bona fide journalist is a threat, then Mr Gunner has some serious accountability issues. Public figures, particularly elected officials have a responsibility and obligation to be scrutinised. You may not like a particular journalist, media outlet or line of questioning but you have an obligation to allow them to analyse your actions and ask questions. As a public representative you must realise the public deserves to know who and what you are.
When Governments exclude legitimate journalists from official notifications and press releases and selectively allow other media outlets specific access to certain information, you, as a private citizen have a right to be very concerned about what your Government is trying to hide.
To deliberately try to avoid scrutiny is to admit wrongdoing, forming part of a lie to you, the public, who will choose who is elected this coming August.
Governments have an obligation to keep the public informed of their activities. This is a vital function that the media performs, it is an important part of the public gaining information and knowledge. It is that information and knowledge that holds individuals, corporations and Governments accountable for their behaviours, decisions and actions.
Accountability and scrutiny are the nemesis of corruption, ineptitude and poor decision making.
Sam McMahon is CLP Senator for the Northern Territory
The absolute opposite of our Great Leaders plan will occur now.
Anyone with a any news will be more likely contacting this media outlet as opposed to the media outlets with tonnes of Jodie Ryan approved NT Government advertising.
I have translated this post into Korean for our North Korean Advisors on the 5th floor:
위대한 지도자 계획의 절대 반대가 지금 일어날 것입니다.
뉴스가있는 사람은 조디 라이언 (Jodie Ryan)이 승인 한 NT 정부 광고 톤이있는 매체와는 달리이 매체와 접촉 할 가능성이 높습니다