We are indeed in grim times when Australia’s best (and maybe only) journalist creates ‘analysis’ by regurgitating government performative statements. Laura Tingle reporting on Albanese’s expulsion of Iran’s ambassador is perhaps evidence of the final demise of any kind of journalism at the ABC. Not that this is unexpected.
Against the backdrop of an atrocity in Israel where 4 journalists were killed, a video of which shows the incriminating evidence for all to see, Albanese delivers a sop to Israel’s local Zionist lobby by alleging some kind of connection between Iran and two of the attacks in Australia.
And, as Burgess delivers his verdict on Iran, not requiring any level of evidence nor transparency on how he arrived at his conclusion, two more police officers are shot echoing those who died in Tara, Queensland. ASIO, it seems, can take months to conclude a tenuous link between the IRGC and some lost souls in Australia yet seems incapable of preventing domestic terrorism, despite the AFP noting the possibility of criminal, not state, involvement in some antisemitic attacks, explicitly cautioning that investigations were ongoing and no terrorism or foreign government links had been confirmed.
Tingle could have asked why, on the day of the shooting, ASIO and our Prime Minister were focussed on global politics and not on how ineffective ASIO has been in preventing domestic terror. She could have challenged both the Prime Minister and the ASIO boss on what kind of evidentiary standard was required to conclude Iran’s local interference. She could have highlighted the inconsistency between the AFP conclusions and ASIO’s assertions.
Instead, what we got was a grovelling stenography.
Abandoning the core principles of journalism, to seek truth and hold the powerful accountable, Tingle reiterates the ASIO line that “sources who have worked in Iran or in the intelligence space” have concluded that IRGC is using criminal networks that offer plausible deniability. These anonymous references lack attribution or credentials, making it unclear who is speaking or their basis of knowledge, rendering the quotes speculative rather than authoritative.
The mark of good journalism is the use of multiple sources, especially independent sources, to construct a version of the truth. ASIO’s conclusion, that the IRGC orchestrated “extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression” via proxies is unchallenged. There’s no independent corroboration from the AFP, other intelligence agencies, independent experts, or victims. And the hyperbole of describing two events that had no casualties and little damage as “dangerous acts of aggression” is simply accepted and quoted as if it were credible.
While ASIO’s findings are stated and, given the nature of intelligence briefings, unlikely to be disclosed, the article offers little on how the conclusions were reached: e.g. surveillance, forensic data, communications intercepts, forensic accounting, or arrests. No technical or evidentiary detail is given, making it difficult for readers to assess the substance of ASIO’s “deeply disturbing conclusion”. For a high-stakes attribution of foreign interference, many readers would expect at least some declassified or summarised evidentiary outlines.
Since the bilateral convention is never to dispute intelligence, the role of a journalist is critical in holding our intelligence community to account, a community that Paul Keating disparaged as incompetent (and, given their failure on domestic terror, probably justified criticism).
Social cohesion relies on us feeling that no particular lobby or group can determine our common future. When lobby groups such as the mining sector or Zionist groups can exert influence well beyond their number, Australians begin to feel frustrated and that frustration can turn to conflict. If Albanese wants to see more social cohesion, he must publicly condemn all politically motivated violence, especially that associated with a genocide.
Last Sunday I witnessed one of the greatest socially cohesive events I have ever seen – people of every faith, every age, every ethnicity, every political persuasion, every class, joining together to condemn a genocide. That is the cohesion that is meaningful and necessary and seemingly, beyond Laura Tingle’s capacity to grasp.
For further commentary, read Cameron Leckie's extended piece at:
https://cameronleckie.substack.com/p/gaslightin...
Tingle does stenography
While journalists in Gaza put themselves in harm's way to document a genocide, Australia's 'journalists' sit comfortably, repeating the talking points of the government.
Abandoning the core principles of journalism, to seek truth and hold the powerful accountable, Tingle reiterates the ASIO line… rendering the quotes speculative rather than authoritative.