Tag: bias
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The Mercury corrected the photograph. What about the story?
Women Speak Tasmania initiated the petition at the centre of the controversy. Yet the Mercury reported on the campaign without contacting the organisation — a recurring omission that raises questions about how women’s rights advocacy is represented. On 13 October 2026, the Hobart Mercury published a story by Sue Bailey headlined “Therapy ban bill fight:…
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ABC Reporting on ‘Anti-Trans’ Content: When Framing Goes Beyond the Evidence
The ABC has reported on a University of Melbourne study claiming a link between exposure to “anti-trans” content and mental health harms among transgender people. The subject is important. But so is the standard of evidence, particularly when a national broadcaster is reporting claims involving self-harm, suicidality and young people. The problem with the ABC…
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ABC Bias in Coverage of Women’s Rights and Free Speech Issues – Email to Hugh Marks
Email sent to Hugh Marks on 21 June 2026 Dear Mr Marks, I’ve just sent another complaint to Media Watch and Linton Besser (see below) about ABC’s ever more embarrassing bias. I’ve long given up on ever expecting any meaningful response from ABC’s Complaints system, but I have been impressed with Linton Besser’s genuine responses…
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ABC’s Bias is Shameful – Email to Media Watch
Email sent to Linton Besser and Media Watch on 21 June 2026 Dear Linton, ABC truly has no shame. I’m coming to the conclusion there needs to be a serious spill and fill, and urgently. Rachael Baxendale has just published this article “ABC rejects Sall Grover’s opinion piece on women’s sex-based rights” in the Australian…
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How Tasmania’s Major Newspaper Frames Women’s Rights
On 20 May 2026, Tasmania’s major newspaper published an article that raises serious concerns about fair and accurate reporting on one of the most contested public issues in the state. Journalist David Killick opened his article in The Mercury with the following sentence: “Tasmania will not be changing its discrimination laws despite lobbying from anti-transgender…
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Request for Right of Reply and Opinion Piece Submission – Email to Craig Herbert
Email sent to Craig Herbert, editor of The Hobart Mercury – 20 May 2026 Dear Craig, I am writing regarding The Mercury article published on May 20 written by David Killick concerning Women Speak Tasmania and our campaign relating to Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act. The article characterised Women Speak Tasmania as “anti-transgender activists” and described our…
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ABC Bias Complaint on Let Women Speak Coverage – Email to the ABC Board
Email sent to the ABC Board on 23.04.26 To the ABC Board, I write to question the role and powers of the ABC Ombudsman, and the parameters within which the position currently operates. My initial complaint concerned the ABC’s reporting on the Let Women Speak event held in Melbourne in 2023. While concerns about bias…
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ABC Complaints Process and Bias Concerns – Letter to Sarah Henderson
Letter sent to the Shadow Minister for Communications, Hon Sarah Henderson, on 16.04.26 Dear Senator Henderson, After watching you in Senate Estimates hearings repeatedly challenge ABC bosses about the public broadcaster’s biased reporting, I thought I should write to you about that same matter, and the altogether unsatisfactory responses I have received from ABC Complaints,…
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ABC Complaint Referred to the Minister for Communications – Letter to Hon. Rowland
This letter has been sent to the Australian Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, following a formal complaint made to the ABC Ombudsman regarding concerns about accuracy and impartiality in ABC reporting. In light of growing public interest — including Phil Dye’s petition — the correspondence asks the Minister to consider whether the…
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A Witch Hunt in Burnie? The Campaign to Remove Trent Aitken
Burnie City Councillor Trent Aitken, known locally as the “Boy from Burnie,” has been at the centre of ongoing controversy since early 2025 following social media comments relating to gender identity and transgender issues. What began as a Facebook post evolved into formal complaints, petitions, widespread media coverage, political pressure, and ultimately a 14-day suspension…