Unless you've been hiding under a media-proof rock for the last two weeks, you will have seen something that is becoming increasingly prevalent within Australia media. I really struggle to call it as anything other than large scale censorship, or media-sponsored bullying. In a society that theoretically champions 'freedom of speech' and 'tolerance', those holding any position that dissents from the leftist leanings of the media are shamed and silenced. This in a country that previously applauded citizens who were willing to defend the defenceless and act upon the 'courage of their convictions', who used to give people a 'fair go' and when it comes to the recent Troy Newman controversy, it's easy to see just how very far from unbiased the Australian media has become.
I'd really like to have a recap of a lot of the things that the Australian media didn't make clear.
Despite MP Terri Butler's apparent concerns, Mr Newman was not coming to Australia to incite "harassment and intimidation" or "vilification" of "women accessing reproductive services and professionals offering those services at medical clinics", but rather to partake in a nine day, five city speaking tour, during which he would talk about the "exposure of the sale of body parts from aborted babies at Planned Parenthood clinics in USA", as explained in all of the promotional material produced by Right To Life Australia, the organisation that sponsored and organised this same tour. Right to Life Australia has a history of peaceful demonstrations, in which they seek to raise awareness of the implications of abortions for both mothers and babies, and to offer women the support that they need, if they decide to continue with their pregnancies. Right To Life Australia said that they were hoping that Newman would "stir up debate", an assertion that was treated by Minister Butler as though the very act of discussing the greater implications of abortion was injurious to women, in and of itself.
Minister Butler's allegations of "Mr Newman’s call for “abortionists” to be “executed”" was found to be unproven by Justice Nettle, the judge who heard Newman's case to have his visa reinstated, and that there was no evidence that his previous anti-abortion protests in the United States had been violent. But let's not let the truth get in the way of a boots-and-all smear campaign. It's surprisingly how easy these details are to bury within the censorial flourishes of a triumphalist article. In a rare even-handed article about the whole situation in The Australian, Angela Shanahan reported, in perhaps the sole article that gave a right of reply to Newman, that Newman's comments had been taken out of context, “This was part of a semi-theological discussion on Old Testament view of punishment, which I do not support. In fact, I am against the death penalty.”
Regarding Mr Newman's premature return to the United States, this was not due to any of the claims made by Minister Butler being upheld, but rather, as Justice Nettle stated, "His detention and removal is entirely related to his decision to openly flout Australian law and travel to Australia without a valid visa." This did not stop Minister Butler stating that the immigration department was right to cancel his visa, and that they welcomed this decision. So, just in case you missed that, despite his visa being cancelled due to unfounded allegations, Minister Butler claims that this was a right and just thing to do. I'm not sure that I share the Minister's sense of what is 'right'. Regarding Mr Newman's entry into Australia without a visa, Angela Shanahan again reported that,
“ My wife and I [Newman] had been granted a visa over two months ago. I did not see the letter cancelling my visa, which is dated the September 30, which is the day after I left, until I arrived back home,” he said. His visa was cancelled electronically on September 29, the day he set out for his speaking tour.“The first I knew about it, I was already en route from home in Kansas. At the airline gate in Denver, I was told I had been put on the no-fly list. I assumed this was a mistake. I have no criminal record, and I saw no official notice. In fact, I saw nothing in writing until I arrived in Melbourne.”The Department of Immigration offered Mr Newman a limited visa if he signed a pledge not to cause violent disturbance. “I was happy to do this, but at the last minute the minister decided the technicality of arrival without visa prevented the arrangement.”
To be fair, Channel Ten's 'The Project' did briefly discuss the ethics of the possible censorship of Troy Newman, given that he has no criminal record. However, this was almost lost among the predictable victory statement regarding his return to the United States.
Once again, let's not let telling the truth get in the way of a heavily biased story. As for the original (and seemingly baseless, given the comments of Justice Nettle) cancelling of Mr Newman's visa, that decision was postponed, to be decided at the end of October. Approximately 3 weeks after his planned speaking tour was scheduled to be held. It is yet to be decided whether or not it was justly done.
Finally, what about the speaking tour? Surely Right To Life Australia have been left shame-faced and in the lurch, given the apparent deportation of their key-note speaker? I am very happy to say that the tour has, and even now, still is going ahead. Mr Newman's message regarding Planned Parenthood's illegal selling of aborted body parts has been delivered at each of the scheduled meeting, across the five cities, and nine days. And, given the vitriol with which Mr Newman was met, it is perhaps for the greater safety of the speaking tour's attendees. So, despite hand-dusting and assumptive claims that the tour has been "scuppered", it has continued on as planned; a fact of which I would have no clue, except that my very dedicated and lovely mother-in-law works for Right To Life Australia.
As I said at the beginning, silencing and shaming seems to be very much an increasing trend within the Australian media. Any voice that speaks out against a controversial issue is summarily declared to be bigoted and hateful. I look forward to hearing the outcome of the hearing into whether the initial cancelling of Mr Newman's visa was in fact lawful, and how widely it is reported. Particularly if it is found to be unlawful.
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