In 2019 it is not hard to hear and read evidence of politicians and industry leaders publicly telling blatant lies or deliberately misleading in an effort to deceive the general public and voters in particular.
Often this evidence of lying comes straight from the horse's mouth so to speak - via live radio or to camera interviews.
Other times the veil of secrecy is lifted by mainstream and social media.
It has become so increasingly common over these last twenty years that it seems that the majority of those who are elected to govern on our behalf at federal, state and local government level now see deception and deceit as being the pattern card of a successful politician.
Indeed, even certain industry and ideological lobby groups are apparently contaminated by this warped pattern card.
The ability for media or private individuals to fact check all the fake news currently in the public domain falters before its sheer volume.
Checking veracity is complicated by the fact that News Corp (through its online/print newspapers & televised news outlets such as Sky News and Fox News) as well as social media giant Facebook Inc (which has a company policy of allowing politicians to lie repeatedly and unchecked on its digital platform) derive considerable income from disseminating demonstrably false information supplied by vested interests.
Thus in Australia, along with the U.K. and U.S.A., we are now beginning to drown in all that fakery and lying - our democratic processes are threatening to become highly dysfunctional.
Whilst freedom of speech is implied in the Australian Constitution it is not clearly spelt out - leaving a great deal of wriggle room for governments of the day to bully both the media and the private citizen whenever they have the temerity speak out against deceit or corruption.
This bullying, which often begins as an abuse of parliamentary privilege, appears to be an attempt to protect those perpetrating ongoing deceit and whatever is the political malfeasance or financial fraud cover-up of the day.
When 'doxing' an individual, phone calls from ministerial aides, emails expressing displeasure or legal letters threatening defamation do not work, these days the next step is for governments to use the federal police to raid media or union offices and the homes of journalists/whistleblowers in a further effort to intimidate.
A growing pile of legislation now exists at federal and state level which establishes a 'right' for government to bully, intimidate, coerce and ultimately silence those journalists, whistleblowers and ordinary citizens who do speak up.
Rather belatedly mainstream media is beginning to express its concerns about the path government is now treading.....
The Singleton Argus, 28 October 2019, excerpt from Voice of Real Australia:
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Scotty Morrison's Chamber of Secrets, everyone's been donning invisibility cloaks in the all-seeing-no-talking halls of the magical-mystery castle of Hogwash:
Home Affairs is being investigated for its failure to process Freedom of Information requests within the legally required time limits.
Australia's cyber security agency has confirmed it pressured organisers of a major conference to drop two speakers, one a noted whistleblower.
And a report into a computer hack at Parliament House might not be released, even in redacted form.
A week after the unprecedented all-media #righttoknow campaign was launched with the front pages of the nation's daily newspapers symbolically censored with a redacted government document, Coalition MPs and Senators have for the most part lined up behind the Prime Minister and his "no one is above the law" rhetoric, while Labor has used the press freedom push to bash the government (despite its earlier support for some of the laws in question).
Thankfully, there have been some independent voices speaking up, and sensibly, from the cross-bench. And, yes, that includes Senator Jacquie Lambie.
The front pages of ACM's 14 daily newspapers featured an example of a "redacted" government document to highlight to increasing restrictions being placed by government and goverment agencies on the release of information the public has a right to know.
Here's what some of Australian Community Media's leading journalists and columnists have had to say on the issue over the past week:
Newcastle Herald journalist Joanne McCarthy:
"I've spent more than 13 years challenging powerful Australians, including churchmen, who thought they were above the law. Too many politicians, for too long, stayed mute.
"I know hundreds of quiet Australians - women abused and abandoned by our health system, and people sexually abused and betrayed by churches and other institutions. Many were betrayed again when they sought help from powerful churchmen who counted prime ministers as friends.
"The quiet Australians I know were the silenced Australians. Until they spoke to the media and found their voices."
Read Joanne's opinion here.
Canberra Times commentator Jack Waterford:
"The problem is bigger than excessive secrecy and inadequate accountability in matters loosely connected with national security.
"Once we have agreed to restrict our liberties by increasing the powers of those in the national security state, the slippage begins.
"Soon cops and others will have access to bugging, tapping, interception and coercive powers - extending all the way down to parking fines."
Read Jack's full analysis here.
The Border Mail columnist Zoe Wundenberg:
"If you see something, say something. Or so we are told by our government in the fight against terror on our home soil. Dob in your neighbour. Report your colleague. Be the eyes and ears of the government.
"Unless, of course, you aim your telescope at Parliament House."
Read Zoe's comments here.
Australian Community Media is part of Australia's Right To Know, the coalition of 20 media organisations and industry groups leading the #righttoknow campaign. Read more here.
James Joyce
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