Australian same-sex advocates caught out, by Chris Mitchell.
It really is no wonder so many people who consume mainstream media are sceptical about journalism.
The press conference held by Malcolm Turnbull and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann in the Blue Room at Parliament House in Canberra last Tuesday on the Coalition’s plans for a same-sex marriage postal plebiscite was the worst kind of media pack performance.
It was a rowdy groupthink rounding on the PM by gallery reporters who displayed shared moral outrage at the idea of the voters having a say on one of the most fundamental issues in any society: marriage and the raising of children.
And of course the gallery gave the government no credit for sticking to a plebiscite promise it took to the election just over 12 months ago. No such confected outrage against Labor, the Greens and the Senate crossbench for an anti-democratic, elitist blocking of a popular vote.
So what to make of the media coverage, the moral posturing of Labor leaders who as recently as the Gillard prime ministership opposed any change to the Marriage Act and the hysterical claims by advocates that any plebiscite will unleash a wave of anti-gay hatred? How about: “You must all be joking and isn’t this all just political grandstanding?” …
I question advocates who spruik polls citing 60-70 per cent support for reform, but reject polls showing 46 per cent want a plebiscite on the issue compared with 39 per cent who want parliament to decide. If advocates are confident of community support, why not test it now? …
And of course the ABC:
The ABC has been relentless and one-sided on the issue. … Emma Alberici on Lateline has been among the worst. On Monday night she started an interview with Cormann with a self-regarding tale about the 15-year-old friend of her daughter who had just come out as gay and been kicked out of home.
As if people’s rights to a democratic vote should be curtailed to protect a daughter’s friend’s feelings. What if the 15-year old wanted to be a priest and was distressed by the ABC’s attitude to the Catholic Church? Does anyone think Alberici would consider reining in the ABC’s war on the church?
The Drum seems to find it difficult not to talk about SSM every day …
Gay activists are too aggressive:
And how to understand SSM advocates rounding on profoundly progressive SSM supporter Mia Freedman for posting a photo of her wedding ring in support of the right of gay people to the same vow?
Just like the social media abuse hurled at Australian Christian Lobby leader Lyle Shelton every day for years, it gives the lie to the notion that the victims of bad manners in this debate will be the families of gay couples.
hat-tip Stephen Neil
