Rita Panahi: Journalists advocating for greater censorship an embarrassment

One would have hoped that the Voice referendum would’ve served as a wake-up call to the Australian media, but instead journalists are doubling down on activism masquerading as reporting — and the usual suspects have embarrassed themselves.

The bulk of the Australian media has embarrassed itself this week by advocating for greater censorship. One would have hoped that the Voice referendum, where so many members of the media found themselves on the wrong side of history and more than 60 per cent of Australians, would’ve served as a wake-up call. But instead journalists are doubling down on activism masquerading as reporting.

And, in coverage that would make the North Korean media blush they are declaring war on Elon Musk, X (formerly Twitter) and the right of Australians to access content, from memes mocking Albo to an alleged terror attack at a Western Sydney church.

Never mind that the victim of the alleged attack, Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, provided an affidavit calling for the vision to remain on X.

Bishop Emmanuel does not want what happened to him to be used to curb free speech.

IN coverage that would make the North Korean media blush the Australian media is declaring war on Elon Musk. Picture: AFP

“Noting our God-given right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion, I’m not opposed to the videos remaining on social media,” he said.

“It would be of great concern if people use the attack on me to serve their own political interest to control free speech.”

If only journalists valued free expression as much as the bishop. Channels Nine and Seven along with the usual suspects have been regurgitating the government’s talking points no matter how incoherent and hyperbolic.

Channel 9’s activist-reporter called Musk’s clear and logical explanation “bizarre” and reported about a “possible political exodus from the platform” based on Senator Jacqui Lambie closing her account.

She failed to mention the Tasmanian senator’s unhinged rants including her repeated calls for Musk to be jailed for life. “(He) should be in jail and the key be thrown away,” Lambie said.

That’s bizarre bordering on demented. Meanwhile, Channel 7 had the nerve to report on “the mis and disinformation that spread quickly after the Bondi and Wakeley stabbing attacks”.

Talk about weapon-grade chutzpah. The misinformation and disinformation that did the greatest damage after the Bondi Junction attack was from Channel 7 which falsely named an innocent Jewish man as the attacker.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was saying mass when he was stabbed multiple times. Picture: Facebook.

The Albanese government and the eSafety commissioner should be condemned for using an alleged terrorist attack to limit what content Australians can access.

Illiberal and outrageously political demands from the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant – a Leftist activist appointed by Malcolm Turnbull – requiring X to take down posts including one from a breastfeeding advocate that said men cannot breastfeed and a post that “misgendered” trans activist, Teddy Cook, should be condemned.

Why is Cook who is a UN adviser on trans and non-binary people and posts about bondage, bestiality being protected by Grant who has threatened X with a massive daily fine of $782,000 if the posts are not removed.

It should shame members of the Coalition that they appointed this woman and that many of them continue to stand by her activism.

The misinformation and disinformation that did the greatest damage after the Bondi Junction attack was from Channel 7 which falsely named an innocent Jewish man as the attacker. Picture: 9News

The opposition’s position on this issue has been remarkably unprincipled and inarticulate, as evidenced by this comment from deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley on Friday.

“I’m not for the actions and statements of our E-Safety Commissioner being ignored,” she said. “We back her 100 per cent.”

The eSafety Commissioner’s initial directive ordering the removal of the church video was due to the “serious emotional, mental and psychological damage” it was likely to cause.

What about the sickening footage from the October 7 attacks in Israel? Should they be removed because they may cause serious emotional and mental damage?

What about footage from Ukraine and Gaza? Or the terror attack on Bourke St?

Distressing images have changed history and helped stop wars. ‘Napalm girl’ revealed the true horror of the Vietnam War, but it sure caused emotional damage.

As Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

Karens take aim at Arj

The Karens are out of control.

Not content with foisting on the nation a contingent of useless Teals, they are now trying to normalise babies in theatres. And, we’re not talking about sleeping, silent babies but active, noisy tykes who have no business being in a theatre.

Being a parent does not entitle you to disrupt or spoil the enjoyment of others who have paid for a ticket, and perhaps a babysitter.

The story of Arj Barker ejecting a breastfeeding mother from his show has gone viral, with the comic cast as the villain.

But the mum’s interviews on The Project and ACA demonstrated why Barker was right; the baby interrupted both interviews and made it difficult to hear what was being said.