Stating the obvious
Forget the debate on the telly last night, the most interesting election news yesterday was Gallop’s criticism of the West Australian for its anti-Labor bias.
Enraged by a front-page story painting the Labor Government as soft on drugs, Dr Gallop accused The West of colluding with the Liberals.
“I just observe, I see, I read — everyday we can see where The West Australian is coming from,” Dr Gallop told reporters.
[...]
“It’s pretty clear that there was an orchestrated attempt today to back up the Liberal Party’s announcement on drugs,” Dr Gallop said.
This was a statement of the bleeding obvious, but it deserves attention because it is not pointed out nearly often enough. It is more than a coincidence that the AMA’s conservative stance was published on the front page of the West on the same day as Barnett’s policy announcement on the same topic.
Even if we give the paper the benefit of the doubt, there is no question that the AMA is a pro-Liberal organisation, especially under its current leadership. President Paul Skerritt lives around the corner from me, and goes to church with Mum. She remembers seeing photos of him at a Liberal fundraising breakfast in the paper many years ago. He’s dyed-in-the-wool Tory. I have little doubt that his announcement was timed to coincide with Barnett’s, and they both knew the West would give them the front page.
The unflattering photo of Bob Hawke was all down to editor Paul Armstrong, though. Can we expect to see him choose the worst available snapshot when John Howard comes over to help the Liberals later in the campaign? I certainly won’t hold my breath.
Armstrong gave the game away in his attempt to defend the paper’s independence:
This newspaper cannot be bought by anyone for any amount, unless you want to make a takeover bid with a fat cheque at the stock exchange.
In the good old days, the West Australian was the paper of WA’s wealthy elite, symbolised by the financiers based on St George’s Terrace. Nothing’s changed: the paper has owners, and they have interests. While Armstrong might claim to be unaligned to any political party, he is firmly on the side of capital.
Go Geoff & Bob :-)
Was listening to the ABC reports on this and they keep mentioning that the ABC has contacted Armstrong for comment, but he hasn’t returned his calls.
I wonder if this has to do with Armstrong having a hissy fit after appearing on Bartlett’s program and all the talkback calls were getting stuck into the paper :-)
Armstrong has not since appeared as a guest on The Chat Room :-)
Also, last year’s Hatchet Job on Shirley De La Hunty and Australian Story and Armstrong’s attack on the radio may have something to do with it :-)
Petty Paul doesn’t like it when he gets his just desserts :-)
Numerous newspapers in this country like The West Australian in this country (most owned by good old Rupert) need to seriously be put to task for the partiality of their print. It’s a disgrace and it undermines democracy in this country.
I was speaking to a reporter for the West about 3-4 months ago at a work drinks (friend of a friend) and she reckons Armstrong is out to get Labour. The giving of the free Royal Show vouchers to the Sunday Times just made him even more determined to find any and all bits of dirt on the Labour government.
That last remark of Armstrong’s is very sweet. Just a micron under the surface is the statement that his views are bought by the owners, and would change if they changed. Ah, the fierce bright glories of editorial independence.
From Matt Price in the ‘Tiser:
Since his appointment in 2002, Armstrong has adopted an often-controversial “pox on both houses” approach to the newspaper’s political coverage.
An editorial last month said voters faced a “dismal choice” on February 26.
While often censorious of the Gallop Government, The West has also often been a scathing critic of Liberal leader Colin Barnett.
Although reluctant to respond to the Dr Gallop’s outburst, Armstrong told The Australian that The West was committed to a fair coverage of the election campaign.
“We don’t act with fear or favour under any circumstances, regardless of whether people love or hate us,” Armstrong said.
You guys are lucky to even get a debate between your State leaders.
The West sucks. I think they are against Gallop but they dont seem to favour one side or the other in federal politics. Their letters section makes me want to ram my head through a brick wall. But you know what? no one forces anyone to read it or buy it so if you dont like it go and make your own paper before they “undermine democracy” too far.
I dont want to vote for either of those wankers.
And the AMA can go and get fucked.
It would be great to have a follow up in The West about what ever happened about that ‘contempt of parliament’ charge – geez how long has it been since someone got charged with that – revolutionary, ground breaking…can’t tell he comes from the tabloids can you.