News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller has called out Qantas for “corporate cancel culture” after removing The Australian Financial Review from its lounges and Wi-Fi access.
The airline company removed The Australian Financial Review from its lounges and digital distribution following a critical piece on chief executive Alan Joyce by Rear Window columnist Joe Aston.
Miller told the publication: “As someone who people attempt to intimidate when they don’t like coverage, I take exception to the pressure put on journalists and the media to stifle free speech.”
The News Corp Australia executive chairman noted that he often deals with people who run larger advertisers than Qantas that try to use their clout and flex their influence on a journalist’s opinion to either favourably or to limit the impact to them.
“The point isn’t around commercials. It’s a form of corporate cancel culture, which I worry is increasingly happening,” he said.
Miller added: “There are some organisations that feel they can use their influence in a way that can ultimately impact the principle of free speech and the role the media has in ensuring our democratic processes can be trusted and reputable.”
Aston has written extensively on Joyce’s leadership of Qantas critiquing staff troubles, flight costs, Covid-19 management, and his claims not to be a public figure.
In his most recent piece, Aston called out Joyce for constructing a “saviour narrative” surrounding his 23-year long tenure as CEO ahead of his departure in November.
“Joyce is particularly sensitive about any threats to his hero story because he is at a delicate juncture in his life. His borrowed power is evaporating, the countdown is on, and he is transitioning to Mr Altruism, Mr Community. Joyce is seeking moral elevation right as his balloon is losing air,” Aston added.
Last month, in an opinion piece called Alan Joyce has had enough, Aston wrote that he is not making personal critiques of him, but rather of what he says and does as CEO of Qantas.
“Joyce confuses personal criticism with individualised criticism, and my criticism is individualised because he is the individual whose ego totally dominates the Qantas organisation,” Aston added.