Pauline Hanson follows through on banning threats to the Guardian and the ABC

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has followed through on threats she made in June, and defended banning the ABC and The Guardian from the announcement of her Victorian state election candidates.

Hanson said she wasn’t going to cop “rubbish” and “spin” and “lies” from both media outlets, the Australian reports.

“I want truth and honesty,” she said. “You get it from me, I expect it back from the media.”

One Nation’s Victorian leader, Warren Pickering, said the party “expected” and “invited” a “healthy amount of scrutiny”.

He added, “However, any blatant character assassination attempts based on fabrications of our candidates will be met with swift legal action.”

The ABC told Mediaweek they had “no comment” on the ban. The Guardian directed Mediaweek to its following published statement:

"As reported earlier, reporters from the ABC, the Age and the Guardian were not provided with the time or location of a press conference to announced One Nation’s Victorian state election candidates.

"A Guardian spokesperson says:

"Holding public figures to account is the role of a free press and an essential part of the democratic process. It is disappointing that One Nation continues to prevent the Guardian and other news outlets from reporting on its press conferences. 

"Our journalists should be able to ask questions in the public interest and not be deterred from doing their job.

“The Guardian has published important public interest journalism on Pauline Hanson and One Nation and stands by the rigour of its work.”

READ MORE: Pauline Hanson in full 'teacher mode' at National Press Club
READ MORE:  'Stupid': Pauline Hanson snaps at delighted reporter

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Pauline Hanson (@senatorpaulinehanson)

Hanson vs Guardian and the ABC 

During her appearance at the National Press Club in June, Hanson said the ABC needs reviewing.

She added she'd like to ban the ABC from her election campaign - unless it can prove it will "treat (her) fairly."

“I want truthful, honest reporting from the media," she said.

"You will have access to me … the public must know that we are going to answer the questions for the public, but with truth and honesty, and that’s all I expect."

“From its chairman down, the ABC has proven itself to be completely in denial about its profoundly transparent political bias and the activists in its ranks.

“Yet they think of themselves as a pillar of democracy. The arrogance is stunning in its scope. It is partly for this reason I have – at times – refused ABC interviews.”

Hanson later in her appearance also told Guardian Australia reporter Sarah Martin she would no longer grant her interviews.

“You’ve got this obsession with constantly trying to pull down myself, my party, or Mrs (Gina) Rinehart,” Hanson said.

“I’ll answer you this question today, but I’m telling you now, don’t come near me for an interview in future, because 25 of your articles … it’s constantly bashing One Nation.”