Frankly, it doesn’t matter if Nine chairman Peter Costello physically touched, pushed or shirtfronted The Australian’s journo Liam Mendes.
It’s clear from the video that 6 foot 4 inch Costello walked in a way to ensure Mendes fell. And he certainly didn’t stop to help Mendes up, or to enquire about any injuries.
In his actions Costello has joined a very select group who have undermined a key plank of human rights protections: the safety of journalists.
And that is no laughing matter. It’s certainly one that the Costello family should know something about.
Costello’s own son Seb is a working journalist with Nine’s A Current Affair where they have had to use security guards to keep the journalists safe.
But then again, Seb has had his own issues with physical assault complaints…
Other prominent figures who have tangled physically with journalists include Clive Palmer, who pushed Channel 10 reporter Clare Barnes as she tried to ask him a question after he left a press conference.
And of course, former US president Donald Trump is at the far more extreme end of the anti-journalist spectrum, with his supporters sporting shirts that called for journalists to be hanged.
The Australian government has repeatedly stated its support for journalists and press freedom with statements such as: “Threats to the safety of journalists are an affront to all countries that embrace human rights. Freedom of the press plays an essential role in any vibrant democracy by helping to create a culture of accountability.”
Yet Australia continues to fall down the press freedom rankings conducted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) of 180 countries each year. This year Australia fell to 39 (from 27 the year before), far behind our neighbours in New Zealand (in position 19).
Next year RSF will be forced to report that the chair of Nine, which employs one of the largest numbers of journalists in Australia, may not have pushed, but certainly did not bother to stop when a journalist had been bowled over.
And that says everything about what Costello thinks about the importance of those who work for the Fourth Estate.
Clearly, no-one in a leadership role likes a pesky question from a journalist. Particularly not former politicians and business leaders who don’t like to be held to account.
But asking questions is what journalists do — it’s one of the few ways we still have to hold the powerful to account.
The job of a journalist has never been harder. They are completely outgunned by armies of highly paid communication specialists, often kept at bay by protection officers, and thwarted by email statements and a refusal to answer questions live and in person.
But journalists must continue to try to ask questions because it is of service to the Australian people.
When the chair of a major Australian media company behaves in this way, what does it signal to other people who have problems with journalists’ questions?
If this had been a Nine reporter, rather than one from The Australian, Costello might have had to sign a large workers compensation bill as a result of the airport fiasco.
Significantly, Mendes was trying to ask a question about the allegations of bullying and harassment over the conduct of former Channel Nine news chief Darren Wick.
It’s often said that a culture of an organisation seeps down from the very top — if this is the way the chairman behaves towards journalists, then it makes sense that the culture change is needed at the very top.
Costello has been in public life long enough to know his actions (and inactions) have consequences. He must not only apologise to Mendes, but to all journalists who have a right to be safe in their work.
If he can’t see that, the Nine board should act to remove him as chair, not just for their shareholders but for the Australian people. He clearly is not then a fit and proper person to lead a news organisation.
Should Peter Costello apologise for what happened at Canberra Airport? Let us know your thoughts by writing to letters@crikey.com.au. Please include your full name to be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.
