A growing number of scholars and ex-journalists have pointed out that Peter Dutton’s recent disparaging remarks about the ABC and Guardian Australia as “hate media” mirror the tactics of Donald Trump. As the election campaign enters its final week, Dutton, the opposition leader, contends that his party could still win despite polling data indicating a decline in support for the Coalition. Dutton addressed these remarks during a rally in the marginal Labor seat of Hawke in Melbourne, where he urged his supporters to disregard media narratives from the ABC and Guardian, emphasizing that the Coalition would still deliver a better future for the nation.
Matthew Ricketson, a professor of communication at Deakin University, likened Dutton’s rhetoric to that of Donald Trump, which has been characterized by verbatim attacks on the media. Ricketson sees this as a shift for Dutton, who had previously been attempting to present a softer image. The academic posits that Dutton’s aggressive stand against media might be a sign of desperation given the declining polls.
Andrew Dodd, a former ABC journalist and director of the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne, criticized Dutton’s comments, suggesting that the public holds the ABC in high regard, particularly among rural and regional voters, who are also likely Coalition supporters. Dodd pointed out that the ABC has generally faced tighter budgets during Coalition governments, which will weigh on voters’ minds at the ballot box.
Quentin Dempster, an ex-ABC broadcaster and director of ABC Alumni, described Dutton’s statement as a smear campaign and hinted that this could jeopardize ABC funding if Dutton were to be elected.
Labor’s communications minister, Michelle Rowland, condemned the attacks on media freedom, drawing a parallel with the global trend of politicians threatening free and independent journalism.
Guardian Australia’s editor, Lenore Taylor, stood by her news outlet’s reporting and affirmed their commitment to providing accurate coverage and holding all parties accountable.
The potential for cuts to ABC funding under a Coalition government remains a contentious issue, with the opposition not ruling out reductions. ThisMoney was also a promise by former Liberal leader Tony Abbott, which was broken following his victory in 2013.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking at a rival rally, presented voters with a choice between building the country’s future and a return to a negative and reactionary past.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/27/peter-dutton-criticised-as-illiberal-for-calling-abc-and-the-guardian-hate-media-ntwnfb
