First Nations journalists and media professionals told a federal parliamentary inquiry in Melbourne this week that the political rise of Pauline Hanson is fueling a resurgence of 1970s-style racism. Witnesses described an escalation of online hate, doxxing, and physical threats that have forced Indigenous voices to withdraw from public discourse.
The hearings, focused on racism, hate, and violence directed at First Nations people, highlighted a stark disconnect between the professional aspirations of Indigenous journalists and a volatile public environment. While some witnesses noted improvements over several decades, others warned that the current climate has become absolutely terrifying
when digital threats transition into physical reality.
One Nation and the ‘Orange Elephant’ in the Room
During the inquiry, Independent Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe characterized One Nation leader Pauline Hanson as the orange elephant in the room
, questioning whether her political trajectory has increased racism across Australia. Tanya Hosch, a former inclusion and social policy manager at the AFL, told the committee that Hanson’s public rhetoric expresses racism and encourages similar behavior and actions from the public.
This assessment comes as Hanson experiences a significant political revival. According to a Newspoll commissioned for The Australian, One Nation currently holds 31 percent of primary votes, placing the party ahead of both the Albanese government and the Coalition, which sits at 18 percent. This surge is linked to a broader voter dissatisfaction; 61 percent of polled individuals agreed that Australian politics is overdue for a big shake-up
.
John-Paul Janke, national Indigenous editor for NITV, noted that the racism he experienced in far-north Queensland during the 1970s is now being used against his children. Janke reported an alarming escalation of online racial slurs and coordinated “pile-ons” targeting First Nations expertise, particularly following the failed 2023 voice to parliament referendum.
The Cost of Participation: Doxxing and Industry Exit
The inquiry revealed the personal toll this environment takes on high-profile broadcasters. Former Today show presenter Brooke Boney testified that she was forced to leave the media industry in 2024 after receiving menacing
threats. Boney identified the backlash she faced for discussing the date of Australia Day as a primary factor in her departure.
“Sometimes that extends to showing up physically where you are and sometimes it means that your account details get doxxed, so your email accounts and where you live.”
Brooke Boney, former Today show presenter
Boney argued that this cycle of abuse creates a public harm by forcing First Nations people to weigh the cost of speaking up, effectively pricing them out of public debate. This withdrawal, she noted, means that silence becomes the price of participation.
Systemic Bias and Media Accountability
Beyond targeted harassment, witnesses criticized the systemic way mainstream media portrays Indigenous Australians. Narelda Jacobs, a journalist with Network Ten, told the inquiry that news coverage often relies on racial narratives
and images of squalid living conditions or people in handcuffs to depict Aboriginal communities.
Jacobs and Boney both highlighted a lack of accountability within the sector. Jacobs argued that media regulation provides almost no consequences for outlets spouting hate and racism, suggesting that such content is often viewed as “engagement” that drives sales.
The struggle for internal reform was also evident at the national broadcaster. ABC director of First Nations strategy Kelly Williams informed the inquiry that the ABC is implementing changes following a 2024 independent review led by Dr Terri Janke. The Listen Loudly, Act Strongly
report found that employees faced systemic racism both within the workplace and from external parties. The ABC has accepted all 15 recommendations in principle, including the rollout of anti-racism training.
Corporate Silence and Regulatory Gaps
While public broadcasters provided evidence, several major commercial media organizations declined to participate in the inquiry. Committee chair Jana Stewart noted that Sky News, News Corp, Nine Network, 7 West and Channel 10 were all invited to appear but declined to do so.
This absence underscores a broader tension regarding the responsibility of platforms and publishers. John-Paul Janke highlighted that NITV was forced to leave X (formerly Twitter) due to a barrage of racist abuse directed at its staff and reporting. He argued that racism is being amplified by social media algorithms
and tolerated by platforms that possess the capacity to intervene but fail to do so.
The evidence suggests a dangerous feedback loop: political rhetoric from figures like Hanson fuels public hostility, which is then amplified by unregulated media and social algorithms, ultimately silencing the very voices needed to challenge those narratives. Whether the ABC’s internal reforms or the government’s inquiry can stem this tide remains uncertain, especially as One Nation continues to gain traction with a disillusioned electorate.
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