Credit: Bogdan Yukhymchuk via Unsplash
The Greens and The Labor party have responded to One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's vow to cut public broadcasters during a National Press Club address last week.
Hanson said if One Nation won government, the ABC would continue operating in regional, rural and remote areas, but would be placed behind a subscription paywall in all other areas.
"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," said Hanson.
Hanson also said there was no longer a need for SBS.
Sarah Hanson-Young, The Greens senator for South Australia, told AdNews Hanson's statements to the National Press Club was an attempt to undermine Australia’s public broadcasters.
"Pauline Hanson's attack on the ABC and SBS was nothing short of disgraceful," Hanson-Young said.
"She went out of her way to undermine the independence of Australia's public broadcasters.
“Attacks on a free and independent media are a hallmark of authoritarian politics, and her rhetoric mirrors tactics we have seen from Donald Trump and others overseas.
"By belittling journalists and threatening the independence of two of the nation's most important media institutions, Pauline Hanson has once again demonstrated a profound disregard for press freedom and democratic values.
"At the end of the day, Pauline Hanson is the same divisive figure she has always been, someone who shows little respect for Australia's journalists, public broadcasters, or the vital role a free press plays in our democracy.
"In addition to attacking journalists she doesn't like, Australia will be shocked to learn Pauline Hanson wants to put ABC iView and ABC Kids behind a paywall.
“Forcing parents around the country to pay for access to kids TV."
A spokesperson from the Minister for Communications told AdNews, the Labor Government would stand behind public broadcasters.
“The Albanese Government will always stand behind our public broadcasters and ensure Australian audiences have access to free news and media they can trust and enjoy," the spokesperson said.
AdNews has approached The Liberal Party, One Nation and Zarlie Steggall's Community Strong Australia Party for comment.
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