Australia: Recycled Platitudes Make Poor Debate - Australian
May 02, 2009
Media Watch presenter Jonathan Holmes's current obsession is the use of the word illegals by this newspaper and others in describing boatpeople. The Press Council, Holmes scolded, has 'passed on complaints this time around about the use of the word 'illegal' to a number of papers'. It has - ignoring the point that the vessels on which asylum seekers arrive are SIEVS, suspected illegal entry vessels. The Press Council would prefer us to splash with a snappy headline from commonwealth immigration legislation - 'unlawful non-citizens'.
Holmes's mantra was familiar. A Just Australia's national co-ordinator, Kate Gauthier, chants ad nauseam form the same songsheet. In repeated emails, Ms Gauthier has chided The Australian's editor, Paul Whittaker, urging him to 'caution' journalists for using the word 'illegals' and 'let me know of any action you intend to take'. Splitting hairs, the term 'unlawful entrants' would be acceptable to her. A Just Australia also riled against an article informing readers that 38 asylum seekers were 'well-dressed' (how dare we tell people?). Ms Gauthier cited a 'highly inflammatory' reference to 'sneaking in'. Those waiting for decades to enter Australia through official refugee programs might disagree vigorously with her view. Perhaps she will turn her politically correct wrath on Kevin Rudd next for referring to the 'illegal movement of persons' in a press conference last week. Tsk tsk.
The Australian
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