Australia: Press Council Backs Louise Milligan's Complaint Over Defamatory Article by The Australian

The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the Council's decision, condemns defamatory smears on Milligan, and demands full accountability

Location: Australia, Melbourne
Date: September 5, 2023

The Australian Press Council finds an editorial published by The Australian newspaper to be defamatory and intends to tarnish journalist Louise Milligan's reputation as a reporter. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly in solidarity with Louise Milligan. We denounce these deliberate attempts to undermine her reporting and call for those responsible to be held accountable.

Four Corners reporter Louise Milligan was the deliberate focus of a defamatory editorial in The Australian newspaper, which she used to be affiliated with. The article "Greatest enemy of truth is those who conspire to lie" targeted Milligan's work, labeling her journalism as "bad, lazy, deceitful." 

Following the article's publication aimed at tarnishing her reputation as a reporter, Milligan filed a complaint with the Australian Press Council.

The Council determined that the editorial, which singled out Milligan as its focus, contained inaccuracies, exhibited unfairness, lacked impartiality, inflicted distress, and did not serve the public's best interests.

According to the Council, The Australian, a Murdoch-owned newspaper, breached three of the regulator's general principles when it accused Milligan of "bad, lazy, deceitful journalism." 

Although The Australian argued that Milligan was not specifically targeted in the editorial, the Council's thorough probe led them to the "unavoidable conclusion" that the attacks were indeed directed towards the Four Corners reporter, and they unfairly associated her with undesirable traits. 

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Milligan's employer, has welcomed the press council's decision and expressed support for her and the Four Corners team's high-quality journalism.

In a post, Milligan shared that the process, lasting two years, had been tiring. 

“It was my decision alone to do it,” Milligan says about starting the process at the press council. “It has demonstrated to me the Press Council needs proper public funding, unshackled from the publications it’s adjudicating,” she adds. 

Louise Milligan is a prominent investigative reporter working for ABC's Four Corners program in Melbourne. She has been recognized for her exceptional journalism skills three times in 2013 at the Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards. Prior to her current role, Milligan spent eight years at Seven News, initially as the NSW State Political reporter and later as an investigative reporter in Melbourne, specializing in freedom of information. Additionally, Milligan has served as a former High Court correspondent for The Australian newspaper.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands firmly behind Louise Milligan. We strongly condemn any intentional efforts aimed at tarnishing the reputations of women journalists. Such actions underscore the urgent need for accountability within the media industry.

These deliberate attempts not only harm the journalists directly targeted but also perpetuate a harmful narrative that undermines the credibility and contributions of women journalists. Media organizations and industry stakeholders must take responsibility for ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all journalists, regardless of gender. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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