February 20 – 26, 2021

William EastonThe Facebook managing director announces the social media giant will ban Australian news content from its site. Deplatforming white supremacists? Simply could not. Deplatforming an entire country’s news media? Sure.

Jacqui LambieThe crossbench senator criticises Attorney-General Christian Porter’s proposed merger of the Family Court. Perhaps not the first time a woman in Canberra has said this to him.

Jacinda ArdernThe New Zealand prime minister expresses her frustration at the Morrison government stripping a dual citizen of her Australian citizenship over allegations she joined Daesh. Foisting extremists on to NZ and denying responsibility for their actions has become this country’s favourite pastime.

Michaelia CashThe Employment minister offers a teary qualification that she didn’t know of an allegation of rape made by one of her staffers until this week. It isn’t clear whether she was standing behind a whiteboard when someone came to tell her earlier.

Australian Press Council

The media watchdog rules The Australian’s article headlined “Firebugs fuelling crisis as arson arrest toll hits 183”, published at the height of the Black Summer bushfires, was not misleading. One could argue it was also not journalism.

Peter DuttonThe Home Affairs minister defends his decision to go against advice from his own department to award $194,000 in grants to a marginal Tasmanian electorate days out from the 2018 Braddon byelection. Safe seats, safer communities.