‘The Fact Check Files’: Sky News Exposes Vast Political Censorship in Australia
Political censorship is not just a problem in despotic regimes. In Australia it is a thriving industry, according to a bombshell Sky News documentary.
Sky News last week released a shocking documentary uncovering the vast tentacles of censorship gripping online political discourse in Australia.
“Perhaps you thought that political censorship only happened in countries rules by despots and authoritarian zealots. Not so,” begins Jack Houghton, the network’s Digital Editor.
“Political censorship is alive and thriving in Australia,” he confirms. “And some of it is paid for by foreign actors.”
Australian Senators James Paterson and Alex Antic feature in the documentary. They explain some of the consequences of political censorship, and tell Houghton what they are doing to fight back against it.
The half-hour report, released on Friday, can be viewed below:
Political Censorship in Australia Has the World Talking
In the documentary, Jack Houghton reveals that the world of fact-checking is a secretive and lucrative industry that has played a pivotal role in shaping public discourse.
He interviews leading experts including celebrated journalist Michael Shellenberger. Shellenberger, who ran as a Democratic candidate for Governor of California in 2018, has in more recent years been drawing attention to the Censorship Industrial Complex.
Highlighting a report he recently compiled that also exposed censorship in Australia, Shellenberger wrote:
Politicians, philanthropists, and NGOs say they want free and open societies, but they don’t. In fact, they are waging the most serious attack on fundamental freedoms in 100 years. The Internet’s enabling it, elites are paying for it, and narcissism & psychopathy are fueling it.
Politicians, philanthropists, and NGOs say they want free and open societies, but they don't. In fact, they are waging the most serious attack on fundamental freedoms in 100 years. The Internet's enabling it, elites are paying for it, and narcissism & psychopathy are fueling it. pic.twitter.com/fGfui06diO
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) August 24, 2023
Even Elon Musk is Paying Attention
Events Down Under have even caught the attention of billionaire Elon Musk, who has a special interest in the issue of censorship due to his role as CEO of X, formerly Twitter.
Musk reposted a warning from Shellenberger, who in turn had posted Sky News’ written report exposing political censorship in Australia.
“Facebook is manipulating the public almost everywhere on Earth,” Musk wrote. “That is why they won’t open source their algorithm.”
Facebook is manipulating the public almost everywhere on Earth.
That is why they won’t open source their algorithm. https://t.co/iO0PUO1joF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 23, 2023
Jack Houghton’s written report on the Fact Check Files is an impressive 6,500 words, and provides reams of evidence to substantiate its claims.
Read the report here.
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Kurt, thank you so much. I am thrilled you are again drawing attention to the ‘Censorship Industrial Complex’ that I wrote about in July. https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2023/07/03/globalism-and-nationalism-part-4-censorship/
I think it is most important that we get the word out as the majority of Australians have no idea about this. I wonder how many parliamentarians know about it?
Praying that your important article gets the local and global attention it deserves.
We must always stand for the truth.
No surprise to me ! The Misinformation and Disinformation (2023 ) Bill is the biggest danger to what remains of our Free Speech . I have lobbied against it. Aleksander Solzhenitsyn in his “Warning to the West “explained evil regimes (eg Marxist ) 1st attack religion, then Freedom of Speech. I have been aware for ages that we have Censorship in Australia. The Digital Age is a means to control every aspect of our lives. We need a Christian Revival to oppose the forces of Evil. Even an atheist neighbour now sees the dangers we’re in. He will vote against The Voice and is fed up .