Media and political complacency is letting Pauline Hanson re-write the rules on accountability
The article criticizes Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party for banning specific media outlets from press conferences and events. The author argues that this behavior threatens democratic accountability and press freedom, urging the media to take a stronger stance against these exclusions.
Why it matters
It raises critical questions about the relationship between political figures and the media, and the potential erosion of democratic norms regarding public access.
David Crosling/AAP Media and political complacency is letting Pauline Hanson re‑write the rules on accountability Published: August 3, 2026 11:04pm EDT https://theconversation.com/media-and-political-complacency-is-letting-pauline-hanson-re-write-the-rules-on-accountability-288945 https://theconversation.com/media-and-political-complacency-is-letting-pauline-hanson-re-write-the-rules-on-accountability-288945 Link copied Share article Share article
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“Disappointing” was the best Guardian Australia could muster when Pauline Hanson’s One Nation banned it from a press conference, this time called to announce the party’s candidates for the forthcoming Victorian state election.
“Unorthodox” was the reaction of The Age , which was also banned, along with the ABC.
These are the latest in a series of bans imposed by One Nation on media it does not like. The first occurred on the eve of the byelection for the federal seat of Farrer in southern New South Wales on May 9. The ABC was chucked out, and the rest of the media stood by and did nothing.
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