Liberal backbencher Eric Abetz has continued his criticism of the Australian media saying reporters should report and not commentate.
Speaking to the Australian Christian Lobby’s weekly podcast ‘The Political Spot‘. Senator Abetz said media bias was very corrosive to the political framework in Australia.
“One would hope that reporters would actually report rather than commentate and insert those subtle, and sometimes none too subtle, descriptors to try and denigrate or indeed uplift those that they support, and denigrate those that they oppose.” Senator Abetz said.
Senator Abetz said that many people on the conservative side of politics had experienced being denigrated by the media, especially those who were Christians.
Earlier this week Senator Abetz told The Australian that the media did not treat left wing politicians the same way as they treated right conservative politicians, suggesting that if they did they would use the phrase ‘the godless left’.
“I’m continually amazed that the media is willing to ascribe certain terms like ‘far’, ‘extreme’ or whatever to those on the conservative side but never to the left. You’ve heard of ‘extreme religious views’ but never ‘extreme atheist views’. Senator Abetz said.
“There is never the same sense of usage of terminology against both sides of the political spectrum.”
Senator Abetz said the Australian people had to deal with an ingrained endemic bias within the media.
“I think it’s a blot on our body politic and it’s a blot on the professionalism of the Canberra media gallery.” Senator Abetz said.
Senator Abetz said his new role as a backbencher gave him a new freedom to speak out about issues like this one and that since speaking to The Australian he had been heartened by the overwhelming community support he had received. The senator said it was important that people of a Christian faith were not intimidated and not be afraid to speak out.
The former leader of the government in the senate said people should take a long view of issues like marriage equality and consider what effect allowing same sex couples to wed would have in a generations time.
“It is in the interests of the generations to come, I have often been reminded of the injunction that you shouldn’t judge legislation by the effect tomorrow, but by its effect in a generations time.
“If you have a long term perspective, you cannot overcome the fact that children being brought up, if at all possible, by their biological parents, which provides them with real security and having the diversity of the male and female role model is the best possible environment in which to socialise the next generation of children.” Senator Abetz said.
OIP Staff
