A feature of totalitarian regimes is that they ban independent media from access to government information.
Political leaders who announce they don’t “recognise” a news publication as “an independent or reputable media outlet”, and cut off that outlet from government information, usually have names like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping or Viktor Orbán.
Now there’s a new name to add to that list — the recently appointed NT chief minister Natasha Fyles, a Labor Party member. She has backed the ongoing, two-year ban on the award-winning website NT Independent, excluding the Indie from government press conferences and communications on the basis it is illegitimate and biased.
Crikey knows a bit about such unconscionable and punitive actions, having once been banned by then federal treasurer Peter Costello from the 2006 budget lock-up. It also knows, to echo the words of NT Labor Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, that Australian governments should not be in the business of suppressing press freedom.
Anyone who cares about the pivotal role of journalism in a democracy should feel a chill down their spine when they hear about an Australian political leader banning media access.
As a vigorously independent media entity, we at Crikey are gobsmacked that any Australian government could impose such a ban or make such undemocratic comments.
We call on the new NT minister to protect democracy and end the ban.
At least the NT government’s not ‘recognising an independent or reputable media outlet’ does not extend to imprisoning and torturing it’s CEO, as the UK, US and Australian governments are doing with Assange.
I second your call. Keep this issue alive.
There may be a value in NT Govt’s denial of current Indigenous violence within community if outcomes no more than minor injuries and all parties dispersed on request.
That is not the current circumstance. The substantial uncontrolled upsurge of Indigenous violence threatens both NT and Nation. Communities-at-large. Both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous. Denial or suppression neither a solution or a legitimate response. Worst of all, specifically NT Govt’s lack of leadership compounds community anxiety and re-inforces prejudice.
Indigenous leadership diverse and hold conflicting aspirations, beliefs. Prioritization conflicts.
Leadership, or more correct ‘LEADING’ of community is a Govt’s primary responsibility. Keeping all in the dark (suppression of public access) destroys cohesion, trust. And accelerates individual and community prejudice.
Australian Media has a responsibility, and Territorians, both Indigenous and Non Indigenous, in urgent need of support!
Like all NT governments this one is corrupt. Just like the CLP government before it it is the plaything of fossil fuel companies. Hence the obscene licenses given for fracking. Thats why they are not keen on any prying eyes they cant control.
Please, stop personalising governments about which you apparently have no understanding with the name of the current incumbent. How about we get this clear? China is NOT Comrade Xi, and Russia is NOT Vladimir Vladimirovich. OK? We might not feel comfortable about their domestic arrangements, but let’s get this clear, WE ARE IN NO POSITION TO JUDGE. How would we feel to hear our nation described by, let’s say the Indonesian press, as an oligarchy ruled by Rupert Murdoch and Gina Rhinehart? Uncomfortably close to the truth?
I’d feel ok about it. Pretty close to the mark.
Yes Griselda, I agree wholeheartedly. It is lazy journalism creating a misleading and false story line.
Without getting into fine details:
Xi is elected by a Collegiate system.
Biden is elected by a collegiate system.
There may be differences so lets discuss the differences instead of calling say Biden “The Fuhrer” by comparison.
This type of expression is that of a predisposed bias.
In 2018 Putin received 56,430, 712 voted or 76.69%
These are facts.
If a person does not agree with the facts then present a logical factual argument. Don’t make up insulting names because of your uninformed prejudice.
Thus thanks to Crickey for their recent article on Freedom of passage through the South China Seas. Our ships and troops already do trips through there. There are substantially more false facts that need to be presented.
One amusing fact I like is that Taiwan claims all the way to and including Afghanistan as part of their territory in their Constitution ie it is part of China. So according to Taiwan our troops were fighting in China. Get ya head around that!
Thus I am disappointed as to the biased reporting, and luckily this is e-mail and rocks are not transmitted, I find the Ukraine news totally biased.
Why are we so afraid of the truth? Julian A is in jail because of the truth.
Third para replace presented with dismissed.