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Greens Senator calls for inquiry into Sky News Aus for spreading misinformation

Published

4 years ago

August 2, 2021

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called for the government to investigate Sky News Australia for spreading misinformation

Youtube suspended News Corp’s Sky News TV network for seven days for spreading misinformation. Now, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is calling for a investigation into the network.

“This is a commercial broadcaster so why isn’t the government regulator holding it to account?” she wrote.

“As Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Media Diversity, I will call the tech giant, Sky and ACMA to front the inquiry to investigate”.

“If the spread of misinformation is dangerous on the internet why is it on television?”

Youtube suspends Sky News

“Sky News Australia acknowledges YouTube’s right to enforce its policies and looks forward to continuing to publish its popular news and analysis content to its subscribers shortly,” Sky News said in a statement.

The 24-hour cable channel has grown its audience to 1.85 million YouTube subscribers. The channel has a strong focus on alternative opinions against Donald Trump, Joe Biden and coronavirus.

Sky News Australis, is operated by Australian News Channel Pty Ltd and is a subsidiary of News Corp Australia.

Controversial right wing talkshow host Alan Jones.

YouTube confirms the suspension

“We apply our policies equally for everyone and in accordance with these policies and our long-standing strikes system, removed videos from and issued a strike to Sky News Australia’s channel,” a YouTube spokesperson said.

The one-week suspension was issued on Thursday and came after a review of Sky News Australia’s content. Youtube has reportedly removed several videos from Sky News Australia.

Youbue believe they either denied the existence of Covid-19 or encouraged people to use hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin to treat the coronavirus, without providing countervailing context.

Sky News Australia hosts Nicholas Reece, Rita Panahi and Peta Credlin

Free speech defence

The news network is not backing down, with the company’s digital editor Jack Houghton arguing YouTube’s decision to suspend Sky News Australia is a disturbing attack on the ability to think freely.

“Sky News Australia has been temporarily suspended from posting on the Google-owned platform YouTube for publishing opinion content the tech giant disagrees with,” Houghton says.

“Among the videos deemed unpalatable for societal consumption were debates around whether masks were effective and whether lockdowns were justified when considering their adverse health outcomes.”

Sky News Australia Digital Editor Jack Houghton

“The stance taken by some commentators at this network was that masks are not effective in containing outbreaks, particularly when mandated outside in the fresh air. Some also took issue with the frequency and mechanisms of locking down Australians.

“Other commentators vehemently disagreed, and their views were also published.”

“The science is certainly not clear on either of these two points,” Houghton says.

Fox News coverage

In the US, Fox News has been criticised for its coverage of coronavirus. Now the hosts are pushing the vaccine.

Last week, a pair of Fox News hosts urged viewers of the network to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, dismissing conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.

“Well, here’s the thing. And one of the CDC officials said yesterday, look, the pandemic right now is really just with people who have not been vaccinated. Ninety-nine percent of the people who died have not been vaccinated. What they are trying to do is make sure that all of the people who have not been vaccinated get vaccinated,” Steve Doocy said Monday on “Fox & Friends.”

It comes as cases rise in US, and US President Joe Biden calls on states to offer $100 vaccine incentive.

The comments from the Fox News personalities come amid criticism the network has been hit with over controversial comments some hosts have made about local lockdown measures, face mask mandates, vaccine science and the pandemic as a whole.

Last week, The New York Times published a story detailing a litany comments made by prime-time hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingrahamthat the outlet said ran “at odds with the recommendations of health experts” relative to vaccines.

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Newly unsealed Epstein emails raise questions about Prince Andrew

Epstein emails implicate Prince Andrew in inappropriate conduct as pressure mounts for his cooperation with U.S. authorities

Published

21 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Epstein emails implicate Prince Andrew in inappropriate conduct as pressure mounts for his cooperation with U.S. authorities

In Short:
– The U.S. Justice Department released documents showing Ghislaine Maxwell’s emails linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein.
– Andrew denies involvement with Epstein, settling a lawsuit without admitting guilt amidst rising scrutiny.

Nearly 30,000 pages of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents were released by the U.S. Justice Department, including emails from 2001 between Ghislaine Maxwell and an individual signing as “A” from Balmoral. One email, signed “The Invisible Man,” asked Maxwell for “new inappropriate friends,” sparking renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s connections.

Subsequent evidence suggests the sender may have been Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, referencing personal details consistent with his life, including the death of his longtime valet and leaving the Royal Navy. A 2002 email further described “Andrew” as a “very English-sounding gentleman” coordinating a trip to Peru with requests for specific companions.

The documents reveal that U.S. prosecutors sought to interview Mountbatten-Windsor over two criminal investigations, citing evidence he engaged in sexual conduct involving one of Epstein’s victims. Despite mounting pressure and losing his royal titles, he has denied wrongdoing, settling a civil lawsuit without admitting guilt.

News

Pope Leo XIV addresses Gaza crisis during Christmas Mass

Pope Leo XIV highlights Gaza humanitarian crisis during first Christmas Mass, urging dialogue and addressing severe conditions for displaced Palestinians

Published

22 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Pope Leo XIV highlights Gaza humanitarian crisis during the first Christmas Mass, urging dialogue and addressing severe conditions for displaced Palestinians

In Short:
– Pope Leo XIV urged awareness of the Gaza crisis and the hardships faced by Palestinians during his Christmas Mass.
– He expressed concern for global homelessness and called for dialogue as essential for achieving peace.

Pope Leo XIV used his first Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver a powerful and deeply human message, placing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at the centre of his inaugural Christmas address. Drawing on the story of Jesus’ birth, the pontiff made a stark comparison to the lives of displaced Palestinians, asking how the world could ignore families living in tents, exposed to weeks of rain, wind and cold. His remarks set an early tone for his papacy — one grounded in compassion, moral urgency and advocacy for those caught in conflict.

Massive shortfall

The Pope’s comments come as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate sharply. An estimated 1.3 million Palestinians are in urgent need of shelter this winter, with recent storms destroying approximately 110,000 tents. Humanitarian organisations report deaths due to exposure among vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly. The Norwegian Refugee Council says just 15,600 tents have been delivered so far, leaving a massive shortfall, while restrictions on the entry of shelter materials have compounded the crisis and intensified suffering across the region.

Beyond Gaza, Leo widened his message to condemn the broader toll of war, speaking of the “fragile flesh of defenceless populations” harmed by global conflicts. He criticised those who send young soldiers into battle and stressed that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, not entrenched monologues. “There will be peace when our monologues are interrupted,” he said, urging leaders to recognise the humanity of the other. His upcoming Urbi et Orbi blessing is expected to address multiple global crises, reinforcing his diplomatic approach and his call for peace, solidarity and human dignity.

News

Bondi terror attack: Months of planning, extremist videos and a deadly plot exposed

Published

2 days ago

December 24, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Newly released court documents have revealed chilling details about the Bondi terror attack, marking one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in decades. Father-and-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly spent months meticulously planning the assault, targeting the “Chanukah by the Sea” festival on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Police say the pair rehearsed tactics, filmed extremist propaganda, and prepared multiple improvised explosive devices long before the attack that killed 15 people and injured dozens more.

Investigators allege the attack began with the men throwing four improvised bombs into a crowded festival of over 1,000 attendees. The devices, including pipe bombs and a “tennis ball bomb” packed with shrapnel, failed to detonate, but authorities have described them as “viable” IEDs. Moments later, the Akrams opened fire from a footbridge overlooking the festival, creating a scene of chaos and tragedy. Among the victims were a 10-year-old girl, a Holocaust survivor, and worshippers who attempted to confront the gunmen.

Court documents also reveal months of preparation, including firearms training in rural New South Wales. The pair was captured on video handling long-barrelled shotguns, moving tactically, and simulating an assault scenario. Additional footage shows the men seated in front of an Islamic State flag, guns and ammunition visible, as Naveed recites passages from the Quran and then outlines the ideological motivations behind the planned Bondi attack. Authorities say these materials demonstrate a pattern of premeditation and adherence to extremist ideology.

Overseas Islamist networks

Investigators also point to digital evidence recovered from Naveed’s phone, which includes a manifesto and detailed plans for the attack. Police allege the pair’s earlier month-long trip to the southern Philippines may have included contacts with overseas Islamist networks. Intelligence agencies previously reviewed Naveed for potential radicalisation in 2019, but concluded he did not pose a threat. Sajid Akram, meanwhile, legally owned six rifles and shotguns that were later used in the attack.

The human toll of the attack has had lasting impacts on the community. Survivors and witnesses recall the terror of that day as families gathered in celebration. Lawmakers have responded with urgency, including NSW Premier Chris Minns fast-tracked reforms to tighten firearm laws, ban public displays of terrorist symbols, and expand police powers. At a national level, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured agreement from state and territory leaders to review and strengthen post-Port Arthur gun laws and introduce measures targeting extremist propaganda and hate speech.

The Bondi terror attack stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of extremist planning and the importance of vigilant intelligence and community safety measures. While court proceedings continue, the public response underscores the shared grief and determination to prevent such tragedies in the future.