Trump’s decision to ban journalists from the White House – and One Nation’s actions – shows why Australia urgently needs a media freedom bill

‘We shouldn’t wait until journalists deemed unfriendly are being kicked out of Parliament House or worse before we think about writing their role into legislation,’ Peter Greste writes. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

No politician loves journalists. The relationship between media and governments has always been fractious, combative, resentful and at times downright hostile. But that is how it is meant to be. Governments wield power; media monitor and report on it.

That dynamic is critical to any functioning democracy. Formal checks and balances will only go so far in exposing abuses of power, so the system requires vigorous, professional and independent individuals devoted to investigating and reporting how governments behave. It isn’t always pretty but it has been an essential component of every effective modern democracy.