This is a tough time for the media in the US. It's chilling to see how easily it can be undermined. All the more reason to defend and celebrate the ABC's independence.
At a press conference in September Donald Trump spoke to the waiting media.
When John Lyons' opportunity to ask a question came, he tackled something most American mainstream media have avoided in their interviews with the president: Donald Trump's business interests and the ways in which he has amassed more than $3 billion since taking over as a president nine months ago. It's a question no leader would welcome. But it's the very question for which the public deserves an answer.
After asking the president how much wealthier he was now than when he returned to the White House, Lyons asked "Is it appropriate that a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity?"
At which point Trump reverted to intimidation, threatening to dob Lyons in to Prime Minister Albanese. Implied in the threat was a suggestion that, by asking a difficult question, John Lyons might be threatening Australia's relationship with the US.
"In my opinion you are hurting Australia very much right now and they want to get along with me," Trump said.
In Trump's America, media outlets that report news he doesn't like are punished – defamations and threats to broadcast licences are standard forms of vengeance. What's worse, some media outlets (ABC America, NBC, Washington Post) have toed the line to protect their business interests. Public funding for American public broadcasting – as small as it was – has been slashed.
In his campaign to stifle dissent, Trump turned his sights on American comedians and talk show hosts, with Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel in the frame. Colbert's contract won't be renewed next year, but the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) was forced to reinstate Kimmel after an almighty backlash.
This is a tough time for the media in the US. It's chilling to see how easily the media can be undermined and how docile their responses have been.
We wondered if Trump would take revenge on Australia's ABC because John Lyons had the temerity to ask a difficult question. So far, Hugh Marks told Senate Estimates, Trump hasn't retaliated.
Marks also noted that the ABC had taken "due steps to ensure that he [Lyons] was in a safe position, that he felt okay. Mr Lyons is a very experienced journalist over many years, and I think he's a big boy; he handled the situation particularly well."
Marks sent on to say:
"Mr Lyons's questions were appropriate, particularly for someone of the president's status and import. I think they were fair questions to be asked, and our journalism requires the ABC, in particular, to continue to ask the questions that are important."
Last week an alt right provocateur confronted Matthew Doran who was providing rolling coverage from Tel Aviv. Justin Stevens made a welcome defence of Doran, saying:
"Matt Doran is an outstanding Middle East correspondent who is delivering important journalism for the Australian audience. 'His professionalism and dedication to reporting this story with integrity is highly valued by the ABC and by audiences. We stand by the work of Matt and our whole Middle East team on this challenging story.'
This is a time to reflect just how important it is to have a robust public broadcaster dedicated to telling the truth. And it's imperative that ABC management continue to support their journalists against unwarranted attacks.
"Democracy, as political scientist Timothy Snyder says, is precious and rare and needs to be tended to constantly. And a high functioning ABC plays an utterly critical role in sustaining our democracy."*
NOTE
The Four Corners program Chasing Trump's Billions screened on 13 October. In it John Lyons examines how a vast network of foreign deals, hotels and cryptocurrency have opened Donald Trump up to accusations of profiting from the presidency, and conflicts of interest. Trump would certainly be unhappy with the show if he were to see it.
*Richard Fidler, accepting his 2025 excellence award from ABC Friends NSW/ACT.
Cassandra Parkinson
National President
ABC Friends