Veteran journalist Kerry O'Brien has issued a stark warning about the global assault on press freedom, highlighting everything from the devastating toll on Palestinian journalists in Gaza to Donald Trump's weaponised lawsuits against mainstream media outlets.
The Gaza Crisis and Journalist Casualties
Speaking at the prestigious Walkley awards ceremony, O'Brien began by addressing what he called the "appalling and outrageous casualty list of Palestinian journalists" since Israel's war on Gaza began following Hamas's attack on Israeli citizens.
He noted that Israel had excluded independent global media access inside Gaza, leaving local journalists to bear witness to the devastating effect of Israel's bombardment on civilians and the accompanying famine. O'Brien emphasised that Israel had failed to credibly explain why so many journalists have been killed in the conflict.
The veteran journalist paid tribute to the impact these Palestinian journalists had achieved through their sacrifice, stating they had "confronted the world with powerful evidence that has gradually taken on the look and feel of genocide in real time".
Global Threats to Media Freedom
O'Brien warned that the erosion of press freedom extends far beyond conflict zones, pointing to concerning developments in established democracies. He highlighted Donald Trump's massive lawsuits against mainstream media outlets he regards as enemies, describing them as designed to intimidate journalists from chronicling his "demolition job on the institutions that underpin democracy in America".
The journalist also referenced President Joe Biden's dismissive attitude toward the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, quoting Biden's remark to the Saudi Crown Prince that "things happen" when asked about the Washington Post writer's brutal killing.
Australia's Unfulfilled Promises
O'Brien turned his attention to domestic concerns, recalling that six years ago he had highlighted a rare industry unity through the Right to Know coalition pressuring the Morrison government to strengthen press freedom after federal police raids on the ABC's Sydney headquarters and journalist Annika Smethurst's home.
He noted that Anthony Albanese, as opposition leader in 2019, had attacked the Morrison government for its failure to support press freedom, calling the raids "something sinister" and declaring that "journalism is not a crime".
However, O'Brien expressed disappointment that despite two parliamentary inquiries producing about 30 recommendations for reform, and Albanese serving as prime minister for three-and-a-half years, similar raids could still occur today.
The journalist outlined several unfulfilled promises:
- Uniform national shield laws to protect journalists' sources remain incomplete
- Secrecy provisions in commonwealth law have increased to 875 offences rather than decreased
- Whistleblower protections remain inadequate, with David McBride and Richard Boyle still facing potential jail time
- Freedom of information law reforms appear likely to have the opposite of their intended effect
The Technology Threat and Call to Action
O'Brien quoted Nobel peace prize winner Maria Ressa's warning that "the greatest threat we face today isn't any individual leader or one government" but rather technology amplifying authoritarian tactics worldwide.
He commended Australia for taking on digital giants with social media bans for children but criticised the government for abandoning proposed laws to tackle disinformation on digital platforms.
Despite the challenges, O'Brien expressed "an unshakable belief in an unquenchable public hunger for news that informs" and can be trusted. He urged journalists to remember their colleagues in Gaza, Ukraine, Russia, China, Myanmar and Afghanistan who have been shut down, imprisoned, or killed for seeking to report the truth.
The veteran journalist concluded by emphasising that "we are all one community of journalists" and there is power in that unity that should never be lost sight of.
