Media outlets urge One Nation to reverse press conference ban

The short version

• The ABC and Guardian Australia called on One Nation to reverse exclusions after their reporters were escorted out of a Victorian media conference by security.[The Guardian]
• During the restricted appearance, Victorian One Nation leader Warren Pickering admitted to illicit drug use and drink driving.[The Guardian]
• Party director James Ashby defended the exclusions by labeling certain outlets corrupt, while media leaders criticized the move as undemocratic censorship.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• The ABC and Guardian Australia called on One Nation to reverse its policy of barring selected news organizations from press conferences.[The Guardian]
• Security escorted ABC and Guardian Australia journalists out of a One Nation media conference in Victoria after party director James Ashby told them to leave.[The Guardian]
• Victorian One Nation leader Warren Pickering admitted to illegal drug use and drink driving during the media conference.[The Guardian]
• Other major outlets, including The Age and The Australian, have faced previous entry bans or rejections from One Nation campaign events.[The Guardian]
• Media leadership and press freedom advocates condemned the exclusions as public censorship, while Ashby defended them by calling certain outlets corrupt.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The ABC and the Guardian call on One Nation to reverse media ban amid censorship concernsThe Guardian - World