Media Trust Collapse is the Real Story, Not Political 'Censorship'
Veteran political commentator argues that politicians manipulating journalists is common, and the media should examine its own practices.
The ongoing debate surrounding media access and political figures should prompt a deeper look into the established dynamics between politicians and journalists, according to political commentator Peter van Onselen. Van Onselen suggests that the current outrage over perceived 'censorship' by figures like Pauline Hanson distracts from a larger issue: the erosion of public trust in the media itself. He contends that the manipulation of journalists by politicians is a long-standing practice within the political arena.
Van Onselen asserts that journalists often become preoccupied with politicians' actions, overlooking the ways in which these politicians skillfully leverage access and information to shape narratives. This dynamic, he argues, is a fundamental aspect of how political reporting operates and has been for decades. Instead of solely focusing on perceived censorship from external sources, van Onselen calls for introspection within the media.
"The press is demanding self-reflection from Hanson without displaying much of its own," van Onselen writes, suggesting a double standard in how accountability is applied. He posits that the media's own practices and its relationship with political figures are central to the declining trust it experiences. The implication is that by understanding and addressing these internal dynamics, the media could begin to rebuild credibility.
Van Onselen's commentary highlights a broader concern about the health of political discourse and the role of journalism within it. He implies that the focus on isolated incidents of alleged censorship misses the systemic issues that contribute to a fractured relationship between the press, politicians, and the public.