The Subversion of Democracy?

Anyone who reflected on it must have, or certainly should have been, disturbed by the photographs and TV coverage of the alleged terrorists arrested last week, and the "removal" of the men who was shot, to prison. The images were truly appalling - and one must wonder what the purpose of it all was? To intimidate the general populace or perhaps to dramatise the alleged threat from terrorists for political purposes?

Whatever the underlying motive [s] on Margo Kingston's Webdiary there is today an interesting piece by Tony Kevin on what he describes as the Subversion of Democracy. Certainly food for thought! - and concern.

Perhaps the point can't be made more graphically than that made in CRIKEY yesterday:

"The ingredients that seem to have gone missing over the past few weeks of terrorism and IR rhetoric (and counter-rhetoric) in Australia are balance and perspective. Today, for example, these are the top five headlines on the Daily Telegraph's website ...

"New terror camp names"
"Stockpile of chemicals found in shopping mall"
"Jail boss alarmed at cleric's activities"
"Five charged over courthouse attack"
"Buying in bulk drew attention"

... a melange of hysterical "reporting" about terrorism that purports to be "news" but is really a carefully-calibrated portfolio of stories calculated to whip up fear and create reasons for people to cringe and buy the Tele."

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