In a scathing critique, former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has likened the Murdoch media empire, particularly Sky News, to a 'drunk raving at the moon'. This analogy, delivered at a book launch event, reflects Turnbull's long-standing criticism of Rupert Murdoch and his global media influence.
Turnbull's comments highlight a deep-rooted issue within Australian politics and media, where News Corp outlets, including Sky News, The Australian, and others, have created a polarised echo chamber. This echo chamber, according to Turnbull, is being used to 'suck the Liberal Party down', ultimately destroying it.
The Murdoch Legacy
Turnbull's critique extends beyond the media outlets themselves, targeting Murdoch's personal legacy. He cites Brexit, Donald Trump, and climate denial as the 'great achievements' of Murdoch's influence, painting a picture of a media empire that has intimidated critics and exerted unchecked power.
A Polarised Echo Chamber
The creation of a polarised echo chamber within Australian politics is a concerning development. Turnbull argues that News Corp has successfully narrowed its casting to an 'angry minority', with the primary goal of accumulating and exercising power. This strategy, he suggests, is destructive to the Liberal Party and the broader political landscape.
Ignoring the Rantings
Turnbull's advice to Australian institutions is clear: ignore the rantings of the Murdoch media, especially Sky News after dark. He compares this to stepping carefully past a drunk ranting outside a pub, hoping to avoid any unwanted vomit. This analogy underscores the need to distance oneself from the extreme and often misleading narratives propagated by these media outlets.
A Softer Approach by Albanese
In contrast to his predecessors, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has taken a softer approach to Murdoch and News Corp. His regular attendance at News Corp events, including private parties and media launches, suggests a different strategy. News Corp, for its part, has claimed credit for one of the Labor government's flagship policies, the under-16 social media ban, further highlighting the influence of the media empire.
A Personal History
Turnbull's criticism is not without personal history. As prime minister from 2015 to 2018, he had a strained relationship with Murdoch and News Corp. Since leaving politics, he has become a prominent critic, alleging that Murdoch was behind his ousting in 2018. This personal history adds a layer of complexity to his critique, suggesting a deeper understanding of the media empire's influence and tactics.
The ABC's Role
Turnbull's comments also touch on the role of the ABC, urging them to ignore News Corp. He argues that paying attention to The Australian, a News Corp outlet, is 'crazy', given their oppositional stance towards the public broadcaster. This advice reflects a strategic approach to media engagement, suggesting that institutions should be mindful of the agendas and biases of different media outlets.
Breaking with the Liberal Party
Since leaving parliament, Turnbull has repeatedly broken with the Liberal Party, including his description of Opposition Leader Angus Taylor as the 'best qualified idiot'. This further highlights his willingness to speak out against what he perceives as destructive influences within the party.
Evicting Murdoch
In his address, Turnbull urged the audience to evict Murdoch and his empire from living 'rent-free in our heads'. This powerful statement underscores the need to challenge and resist the influence of media empires that seek to exert unchecked power.
Conclusion
Turnbull's critique of the Murdoch media empire is a call to action, urging Australian institutions and the public to resist the polarising and destructive influence of media outlets like Sky News. It is a reminder of the importance of media literacy and the need to question and challenge the narratives presented by powerful media empires.
