The Murdoch Media: Polluting Australia's Airwaves? (video)

Al Jazeera

Contributors Richard Cooke - Contributing editor, The Monthly Amy Remeikis - Political reporter, The Guardian Australia Rodney Tiffen - Author, Rupert Murdoch: A Reassessment & Emeritus Professor, University of Sydney James Painter - Research Associate, Reuters Institute and author, Climate Change in the Media

In Australia, soaring temperatures, extended droughts and strong winds have resulted in a wildfire season like no other.
Yet, as so much of the country burns, most of the Australian media outlets owned by Rupert Murdoch refuse to call this story what scientists say it is: a disaster exacerbated by the climate crisis.
Millions of acres have been burned out, dozens of people have died, wildlife is on the run and papers like The Australian and networks like Sky News Australia are not only dismissing the scientific consensus, but are trafficking in some false, debunked narratives.
Murdoch's media empire has long held a disproportionate influence over Australian politics and he and Prime Minister Scott Morrison are united on this issue.
Throw in Murdoch's close ties to Australia's powerful fossil fuel lobby and all the elements are there for a conspiracy of disinformation on the biggest, gravest story of our time.


As bushfires flare, Murdoch's news empire peddles climate scepticism.

Links

• James Murdoch Criticises Father's News Outlets For Climate Crisis Denial
• (AU) How Rupert Murdoch Is Influencing Australia’s Bushfire Debate
• (AU) News Corp Employee Lashes Climate 'Misinformation' In Bushfire Coverage With Blistering Email
• (AU) Rupert Murdoch Says 'No Climate Change Deniers Around' – But His Writers Prove Him Wrong
• (AU) Media Watch: Fire Haze
• News Corp's Climate Campaign
• News Corp Launches Offensive Against Labor's Climate Policy Amid Glowing Budget 2019 Previews