2024-12-04
The Greens will look to call Murdoch media executives before a Senate Inquiry into Greenwashing following a backlash to paid advertising from the gas lobby masquerading as front-page news and appearing across Murdoch tabloids every day this week.
As the Guardian and Crikey have reported, the Murdoch tabloids are running a “week-long series explaining the critical importance of stepping on the gas” this week. The content which at first glance may appear as ‘news’ is actually propaganda paid for by gas companies including Santos, Tamboran, APA, Jemena.
Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens Spokesperson for Communications and Chair of the Senate Inquiry into Greenwashing:
“This isn’t journalism - it’s fossil fuel propaganda. It’s as dodgy as it gets.
“We know that the social licence for coal and gas is rapidly melting as climate change gets worse and the public learn more about who is responsible.
“We will look to call Murdoch media executives before our Greenwashing inquiry in the new year to explain their disregard for basic journalistic ethics and their longstanding campaign against climate science.
“At a time where truth and facts are under threat the Murdoch media’s attempt to disguise paid propaganda as actual news risks bringing the profession of journalism into disrepute.
“Gas is a fossil fuel driving climate change while clean energy firmed with battery storage is cheaper and more reliable.”