Media union blasts Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on Guardian journalist

Pauline Hanson’s ‘actions stand in stark contrast with her remarks that she welcomes the scrutiny of the media on her party, its people and its politics,’ the Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance says. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters View image in fullscreen Pauline Hanson’s ‘actions stand in stark contrast with her remarks that she welcomes the scrutiny of the media on her party, its people and its politics,’ the Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance says. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters Media union blasts Pauline Hanson’s ‘bitter, unprofessional’ attack on Guardian journalist Union calls for journalists to stand with colleagues when they are targeted by politicians as Anthony Albanese says media organisations play ‘vital roles in our democracy’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The media union has condemned One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s attack on Guardian Australia senior correspondent Sarah Martin, as Anthony Albanese called on journalists to defend public broadcasters SBS and the ABC. After her landmark address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Hanson called Martin “trashy” for asking about her daughter Lee Hanson’s employment by a NSW One Nation senator, despite living and working in Tasmania. Martin revealed in February that Lee Hanson has been spearheading the party’s expansion in Tasmania, while receiving a taxpayer-funded salary of about $150,000 a year for her work for a NSW One Nation senator. Hanson said Martin would be banned from future events because of critical coverage, accusing her of harbouring an “obsession” with Hanson herself and billionaire patron Gina Rinehart. She had previously said she would ban the ABC and the Guardian from attending her events. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The Media Arts and Entertainment Alliance called the attack “bitter, personal and unprofessional” and warned attempts by One Nation to ban Guardian Australia and the ABC from press conferences constituted an assault on the freedom of the press. “Hanson’s actions stand in stark contrast with her remarks that she welcomes the scrutiny of the media on her party, its people and its politics,” the statement said. “[Martin] is an experienced and professional journalist who was attending her place of work to do her job of holding the powerful to account. Journalists must be provided with safe workplaces, free from abuse, so we can uphold the public’s right to know.” Pauline Hanson’s speech ‘shameful’ and echoed ‘rubbish’ from rightwing figures in UK and US, critics say Read more The union called for journalists to stand with colleagues seeking to report in the public interest, when they are attacked or targeted by politicians. The prime minister said parties seeking to exclude media organisations or cut public broadcasting were misguided. “ I would hope that all media organisations come out and oppose that, because they should, beca