Coalition wage war on free speech

BY ADAM MACLEAN

Attacking public media and people's access to voices other than its own is part of the Coalition government's systematic campaign of suppressing free speech and democratic rights.

Example one: The new anti-terrorism laws are now being used to stop Arabic television channels being broadcast on pay television in Australia. The Beirut-based channel Al Manar has broadcast material in support of Palestinian liberation and now faces an "investigation" by broadcasting authorities.

Example two: Communications minister Richard Alston attacks the ABC for not joining in with the rest of the media cheer squad in unrestrained enthusiasm for the invasion of Iraq, while PM John Howard openly talks of reducing the powers of the Senate so he can do as he pleases, no questions asked.

Example three: Treasurer Peter Costello threatens to remove favourable taxation status for charities that criticise his government's attacks on welfare and health care.

Example four: Public education and universities are routinely underfunded while free trade agreements are negotiated with the US, one implication being the very real danger of cultural production in Australia disappearing.

Example five: Howard and Alston are doing their best to change the law in order to hand even more of Australia's media, already among the most monopolised in the world, to Rupert Murdoch, Kerry Stokes and Kerry Packer.

From Green Left Weekly, August 20, 2003.

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From GLW issue 550