- media response to Pauline Hanson's maiden speech to Parliament
- excerpts from Pauline Hanson's maiden speech
Reports/Comment:
- ABC Radio National's Media Report poses the question: 'Is Pauline Hanson a simple fish-and-chip shop lady or a savvy media performer?' The Media Report's Agnes Warren comments
- Ray Martin's back announce on A Current Affair after Pauline Hanson declined the show's interview invitation
- ACA Producer, David Hurley, explains why the program declared its hand on the issue
- ABC TV's Acting Sydney Network News Editor, John Mulhall, explains the editorial decision not to cover the Hanson speech.
- Reader criticisms of bias in The Sydney Morning Herald's Letters to the Editor
Please note that none of the reports in the case studies have been the subject of complaints or queries under the Racial Hatred Act.
Letters pages of the daily newspapers are useful windows on public opinion and it is hardly surprising that Hanson's speech motivated Australia's scribes on all sides of the political divide. Here's how the Sydney Morning Herald's Debra Jopson answered readers' criticisms of bias in her selection of letters on the issue:
Letters to the Editor
September 13
Postscript
Our publication on Friday of three letters criticising Pauline Hanson's speech drew a couple of conspiracy theorists. John Cosgrove, of Watson's Bay, claimed that it showed "bias in the selection of items" which threatened freedom and the fabric of democracy. Cheryl Winstanley, of South Wentworthville, asked if we intended to print supportive letters.
R.E. Buchanan of Panania, thought we needed a big wastepaper bin (presumably to throw out all the letters supporting Hanson). Well, no, the bin would be minuscule, if it existed. A handful of letters sympathetic to Hanson finally hit the desk on Friday. Only two gave reasons for this support. One is published today.
The twenty-plus criticising Hanson had the attractive quality of going on to say why.
It looks like "media bias" will be the cry whenever the spot-light is thrown on Hanson. Toni Symonds, of Fennell Bay, wrote that when 2UE's Alan Jones asked listeners to ting a "yes" or "no" line on whether they agreed with her views, she tried but she could not get through. Jones announced he got a 98 per cent "Yes "vote and a 2 per cent "No".
The voters did not have to support their views with argument, unlike our letter-writers.
In the meantime, as Peter Fay, of Leichhardt, wrote, "Where's Bronwyn?"
Debra Jopson, Acting Letters Editor
Hanson's speech
Independent MP Ms Pauline Hanson has brought disgrace to our Parliament and embarrassed not only people in her electorate but most Australians by her comments in her maiden speech.
She does not realise this country and its people have moved away from an isolationist police. The vast majority of Australians are far more humane and caring than she claims. Mr Howard should show leadership by condemning her comments.
Hopefully we will not see her on the rostrum again.
Mark D'Souza, Camden
In reply to "Hanson speech hits a new low", may I state that, although not agreeing with all that Ms Hanson said I, like most Australians, believe that in the main, she speaks for the majority of Australians. Some pressure groups might not like her sentiments but this is still a land where we believe in free speech.
If Australia introduced Citizens Initiated Referenda, the people of Australia could tell the politicians what we really think. This would be most interesting.
Mainstream politicians should realise that they are there to represent us, not to tell us what to do. I wish we had more like you, Pauline.
David Astin, Bankstown
Previous page | Top of this page | Main Contents | Next page
