Trial-by-Media
This morning, Ms. Hage-Ali, the Young Australian of the Year and member of Howard's "Muslim Reference Group" was intervied by Virginia Trioli on 702. She had recently been taken in for questioning by Police in regards to a cocaine racket, but released without charge. The Telegraph jumped all over this, running full page pictures and headlines, painting her as some sort of Drug kingpin. Only the fine print stated that she had been released without charge.
In todays interview, Hage-Ali strugged (and often failed) to hold back tears, as she was unable to defend herself. Apparently, she has been advised that any comments she makes may place her in contempt of court. Her frustration at the situation was very clear, and I felt very, very sorry for her.
Maybe its an elaborate act, but I doubt very much the emotion in her voice was enacted. What are today's headlines about that interview? Todays SMH: Hage-Ali silent on Drugs claims. Its bad enough that the media is jumping all over this, looking for a Muslim to string up, but that Morris Iemma suggested that her government job was in jeopardy, was inexcusable for a supposed statesman. This reflects, I believe, the sordid trial-by-media and political over-reactions being fostered by the Liberal Right in NSW, and Iemma, unfortunately, is playing their game.
In an unrelated piece of information I learnt today - Janet Albrechtsen is the only woman on the ABC board. Janet Albrechtsen!?! As far as I'm concerned, she makes Howard look like Gandhi! She's one of those crazy right-wing women (the other notable one being Miranda Devine) who have begun polluting the Australian Media with their vitriolic conservatism. Somehow, her presense taints the ABC in my mind.
In todays interview, Hage-Ali strugged (and often failed) to hold back tears, as she was unable to defend herself. Apparently, she has been advised that any comments she makes may place her in contempt of court. Her frustration at the situation was very clear, and I felt very, very sorry for her.
Maybe its an elaborate act, but I doubt very much the emotion in her voice was enacted. What are today's headlines about that interview? Todays SMH: Hage-Ali silent on Drugs claims. Its bad enough that the media is jumping all over this, looking for a Muslim to string up, but that Morris Iemma suggested that her government job was in jeopardy, was inexcusable for a supposed statesman. This reflects, I believe, the sordid trial-by-media and political over-reactions being fostered by the Liberal Right in NSW, and Iemma, unfortunately, is playing their game.
In an unrelated piece of information I learnt today - Janet Albrechtsen is the only woman on the ABC board. Janet Albrechtsen!?! As far as I'm concerned, she makes Howard look like Gandhi! She's one of those crazy right-wing women (the other notable one being Miranda Devine) who have begun polluting the Australian Media with their vitriolic conservatism. Somehow, her presense taints the ABC in my mind.
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