Trump’s decision to ban journalists from the White House – and One Nation’s actions – shows why Australia urgently needs a media freedom bill | Peter Greste
News Source
•Tue, 22 Sep 2026 02:00:31 GMT
📰 What Happened
Journalist Peter Greste has called for a media freedom bill in Australia. He wrote in the Guardian on 22 Sep 2026, after Donald Trump banned reporters from CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House.
Trump called the outlets fake news. Four big US broadcasters paused the shared press pool in protest. Three banned outlets are suing in court under the US First Amendment.
🔍 The Backstory
Greste says Australia is the only liberal democracy with no press freedom protection in its constitution or a bill of rights. The High Court has found only an implied freedom of political communication. He notes it has been overridden before, including when police searched the ABC in 2019.
The Alliance for Journalists' Freedom plans to publish a bill later this year. One Nation has also shut reporters out of some of its events.
🎯 Why It Matters
Journalists who can question power help expose waste and abuse. Weak legal protection makes that harder for everyone, not just reporters.
Journalist Peter Greste has called for a media freedom bill in Australia. He wrote in the Guardian on 22 Sep 2026, after Donald Trump banned reporters from CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House.
Trump called the outlets fake news. Four big US broadcasters paused the shared press pool in protest. Three banned outlets are suing in court under the US First Amendment.
Greste says Australia is the only liberal democracy with no press freedom protection in its constitution or a bill of rights. The High Court has found only an implied freedom of political communication. He notes it has been overridden before, including when police searched the ABC in 2019.
The Alliance for Journalists' Freedom plans to publish a bill later this year. One Nation has also shut reporters out of some of its events.
Journalists who can question power help expose waste and abuse. Weak legal protection makes that harder for everyone, not just reporters.