Sympathetic media help Gladys Berejiklian save her image | Media Watch

How sympathetic media coverage of the Premier’s failed love life helped Gladys Berejiklian distract the public from questions over the ICAC inquiry.
Plus, a look at Clive Palmer’s anti-Labor death tax ads and why Queensland has no law to enforce truth in political advertising.
The Townsville Bulletin criticised for ranking the town’s ‘hottest criminals of 2020’, with one victim calling it ‘inappropriate’ and ‘disrespectful’.
And ACMA slam Seven for a lack of disclosure over a Morning Show advertorial that Media Watch highlighted back in May.
For more from ABC News, click here: ab.co/2kd3ALi
You can watch more ABC News content ad-free on iview: ab.co/39iq2Xt
Subscribe to ABC News In-depth: / abcnewsindepth
For breaking and trending news, subscribe to ABC News on KZbin: ab.co/1svxLVE
You can also like us on Facebook: / abcnews.au
Or follow us on Instagram: / abcnews_au
Or even on Twitter: / abcnews

[@kurlozmakara4194]

she SHREDDED funding documents, that alone would have anyone else thrown in prison.

[@ozwunder69]

@Forever Holiday nothing to do with 1 billion $ scobigbro cuts to aged care funding,

[@NickSquids]

Would have lost any other public servant their job at the very least.

[@darkfluxMalefactor]

@Forever Holiday you've got to admire that efficiency, that's a lot of people in a short amount of time. Better yet, you'd think he'd have had help, professionals and health experts giving him advice. And yet, he's done it all by himself, super impressive. Who are we jailing for the Ruby Princess, by the way? Or aged care homes? Or robodebt suicides? I've got my pitchfork ready!

[@CraigPendlebury]

It still might.

[@BenState]

@Forever Holiday stupid comment

[@sueneilson896]

Just imagine if she had been a Labour premier...

[@Min61449]

Imagine what would have happened to a male Premier in this situation....

[@brettr5547]

Or a Labor premier

[@msbramble176]

exactly, she would be gone like Jackie trad

[@joshc6569]

@@Min61449 If it was a male liberal doing policies Murdoch likes, then the press would still defend him.

[@Min61449]

@@joshc6569 yes probably, but I was thinking more along the lines of whether the electorate would buy the whole “He is a good man, led astray by a vixen” routine the way they are buying that Gladys was “ done wrong” by a Cad.

[@PattoDan88]

Many other premiers have gone for far less.

[@feelingevaporated2912]

I honestly believe all other current premiers would roll for far less. The spin has been truly absurd, and infantilising towards women despite the angle media is taking. She’s an adult, she should be able to act responsibly just like everyone else. Gender is completely irrelevant.

[@NickSquids]

@@feelingevaporated2912 My missus was madly pissssssssed when she came across this the other week. And not because I hadn't got dinner on yet.

[@radomillion]

Like a bottle of wine

[@charleskaplan3567]

@@feelingevaporated2912 The idea that Glady's is both a magnanimous, easily dooped, naive, lover girl and a competent, deal making, Liberal representing, iron cast, dependable leader are diametrically opposed. The expectation on the voter to entertain this paradox will cause a break in anyone's psyche.

[@NickSquids]

@@charleskaplan3567 Kinda like the Vatican.

[@MusicMasterTasmania]

It makes me furious that a lot of the Australian public are so focused on her love life and not the kind of dodgy connection she had that she tried to deny. We have officially reached idiocracy.

[@NickSquids]

I reckon hardly anyone is actually...

[@td23asus]

Easy to do when thats all the media tell ya to think

[@dodgygoose3054]

I don't think the public are at all. That is just a Murdoch LNP imaginary story that they are telling over and over and over...

[@adzz8012]

Mate its no longer satire... its legit the onion writing the bilines now.

[@diddyfitzgerald9354]

"love" must be a very different thing in Australia, you confuse it with money

[@gureno19]

What everyone should learn from this is that they NEED to sign Kevin Rudds petition for a royal commission into Murdochs Monopoly to stop this sort of madness.

[@duncanyourmate2433]

most definitley , i did ,

[@daviddimovski9595]

Murdoch strikes again. Sign Kevin Rudd petition for a royal commission into the murdoch media!!!

[@james1112]

Murdoch

[@msbramble176]

Who stood up for Jackie Trad when hounded by Murdoch media until she stepped down for accusations of appointing a principal which she was later exonerated for. Gladys broke the law and she has been dodgy to the core.

[@4x4CampingandAdventures]

Shredding documents having knowledge of corruption and doing nothing is the story here not some love tale she needs to resign or face the party.

[@brucie-of-bangor528]

Here we have a Premier that foisted unwanted stadia on us, tried to trash the Powerhouse museum, bought trains that would not fit in tunnels or platforms. ferries that would not fit under bridges, presided over many projects that went grossly over schedule and over budget, dramatically reduced funding for Fire & /rescue, the Rural Fire Service and the National Parks & Wildlife Service fire fighters, presided over the Covid19 ridden Sea Princess visit during the plague, forest clearing in Koala habitat, shredding incriminating documents, the list goes on and on. Now, apparently, she has no knowledge of the activities of a man friend, apparent corrupt activity that was her responsibility to report to ICAC. I couldn't give a damn about her private life, it is none of my business. But I do care about the dreadful administration we have suffered under this incompetent Premier. She has to go.

[@hjwjenny]

well said👍

[@duncanyourmate2433]

As she has , yet she will be Berra Consulting ,give it a year from Nov 21 , or post pandemic (? if possible) , Bin Chicken Rhinoplasty with suitable 'qualified' plastic surgeons ,The facts remain resign and be a draw on tax payers whom were not even born ,for the rest of your life , Thats public/civil service , disgusting crime don't forget Obeid etc , same lies different decade ,thank whomevers god for ICAC

[@delaporteful]

police called in over gladys' shredding documents.

[@CraigPMiller]

So tired of the right-wing media. She would have been crucified if she was Labor or Green. Remember what they did to Ms. Gillard.

[@yt.personal.identification]

@@tjmarx Have you heard of Rupert Murdoch?

[@zoddsonofthor5576]

@@tjmarx Yes we are and 70% of media is controlled by Rupert Murdoch and even the ABC is being run by two of his goddamn disciples it is a freaking Disgrace. Oh and if you enjoy shitty Fiber to the node NBN that was Murdoch again because his crap Foxtel couldn't compete in a open market.

[@CraigPMiller]

@@tjmarx Any media under the thumb of Murdock is, by definition, right wing. Australian media has always loved hanging out in the gutter, and is a prime example of Australia's 'bully' culture, all the while ignoring the corruption by their political 'mates'.

[@TheCopyblogger]

@@tjmarx can you spot the murdoch shill with his head in the sand?! I CAN.

[@seanoreilly1832]

You have to get off social media and read a book. Right wing media? Sky is one foxtel channel

[@stuiley424]

This is sad, she should go and face charges. This just shows how the media just play the political game rather than seeking the truth.😔

[@joanneklimoski3832]

The hypocisy and santimony of our politicians never ceases to amaze me. I'm so tired of the rubbish that spews from their mouths. I'm tired of the partisanship, the cronyism, the mythomania. I'm sick of the adhorrent disregard for truth in the media (Murdoch in particular). Wish we could throw it all out and start again. Instead we are doomed to repeat history and be ruled by the almighty dollar!

[@NickSquids]

Peaceful revolution is a tricky concept...

[@joanneklimoski3832]

@@NickSquids I agree. We have a lot more growing up to do as a species before it could happen.

[@NickSquids]

Else we'd just get a revolution..

[@joanneklimoski3832]

@@NickSquids I can still wish upon a star though (sigh).

[@noramaddy4409]

The two-party voting system doesn`t help either.

[@YaMumsSpecialFriend]

We need to insist upon honesty in political advertising and ensure it is so, and quite frankly all advertising should require such simple honesty.

[@neilforbes416]

If Gladys Berejiklian IS to be found corrupt, then resignation should NOT be an option for her. She should instead suffer the ignominy and humiliation of being SACKED! And that goes for ANY and EVERY politician at State or Federal Level.

[@ilikevines]

The good old 'woman card'...well played, Gladys

[@goodyear05]

WTF how wouldn’t she know about what her partner did

[@Min61449]

Oh dear! So much happens that Gladys doesn’t know about. She didn’t know about Maguire’s dirty little deals even though she is recorded responding “ woohoo” and “ that’s great”. Now she didn’t know that her office shredded the documents relating to the Council grants that she personally approved. Such an unaware person should not be in charge of NSW. I wonder what she won’t know about next?

[@NickSquids]

She seem oblivious to the ethical quandary as to corruption from a vantage.

[@seanoreilly1832]

How is this woman still in office? What the hell?

[@CharleyHolland]

2GB love Gladys Berejiklian so much they should change their name... oh.... hang on a second...

[@BeauMcKee]

Thank you MediaWatch

[@MegaVin99]

Too much sympathy’s Including some ABC journalists.

[@msbramble176]

They have to in order o appear non biased apparently. Murdoch press sets the tone and parameters of public debate/ Di you sigh the K Rudd petition?

[@jay-uo2bi]

@Merv Stent LMAO You realize the ABC is funded by the LNP?? Thank god even despite this they are probably the most centrist media group, as a media group should be.

[@nickdryad]

“I’ve given up on love, unless a top lawyer comes along”.

[@Sonobody123]

Glady got caught faking a task and her tears and her buddy got her out scot-free.

[@yeah.cheers]

'Sympathetic'? Or 'sycophantic'?

[@horsewhisperer20394]

It’s amazing how Murdoch Media decided the fate of Gladys because she’s a Liberal.

[@sarahcollins190]

Gladys is a highly intelligent woman, she wouldn't be premier if she wasn't. So to suggest that she doesn't have the intelligence to see coruption is seriously under selling just how intelligent she is. She is now using her intelligence to sucker everyone into believing she's dumb while at the same time asking them not to forget just how intelligent she has been in leading the state. Gaslighting a whole state. Bold move.

[@ShaunaAllen-qn6lt]

Gladys is going for cover in the tradition of the old country so songs.."I trusted my man and he done me wrong". The coverage of a corrupt dealings and good crony capitalist style has been submerged under the image of a poor wall-flower, finding love and have betrayed by a cad. She actively sought to fund politically aligned electorates with large amounts of unaccounted money. The meet and greats given to parties running cash for visa scams.

[@3X073K]

After killing all those koalas, corruption proven and playing the dumb card. Her keeping her job is a double standard meme !

[@lbelle8850]

“Hey kids, you want some Maccas shaker fries for breakfast?” 🤣🤣 did he really say that omg.

[@mofo78536]

Media Watch should also show who's doing a good job of keeping to the rules as well

[@rominsyd259]

“Hard to get date in Sydney” 😂

[@dodgygoose3054]

Just do as Glady's does and use public tax payers funds and buy one. Beats Tinder any day.

[@nicholashall4383]

With a nose like that maybe it is

[@stephenjames1443]

Whatever you do.Dont make the same mistakes,as politicians. They'll lock u up.

[@NickSquids]

k'n oath _they_ will. And should.

[@thetrashmaster1352]

It's crazy that youtubers disclose advertisements better than major TV networks.

[@NickSquids]

Not really. They have something to lose.

[@colconn57]

Scomo said some men think they own women. How does that feel Gladys???? Just keep doing what your told.

[@msbramble176]

And then see what they did to Jackie Trad.

[@stucumins8511]

No integrity.......she should be gone.

[@rowanpaterson]

I am so thankful this program exists, but saddened by the things commercial media is serving to the unsuspecting public.

[@scoogsy]

Thank you media watch.

[@hgf334]

Why have the authorities not acted and charged her? I mean it is tantamount to condoning corruption amongst our public servants if action is not taken? A Royal Commission will be needed as to the reasons why the agencies responsible have not acted.

[@juliusmaloney]

So explain the shredding of pertinent documents & deletion of digital records. The situation sticks. She’s up to her neck in corruption and she’s being allowed to paint herself as unlucky in love. What a crock. 💩

[@rangertocpt]

She put her job first. She voted Yes to abortion to keep her job.

[@keepspace5258]

I love this guy. Love how when he goes and ask and they never respond to them

[@diddyfitzgerald9354]

"Be careful with the dots you are trying to draw because they simply dont exist" - Lost it hasnt she!

[@rozzziee6525]

Can't wait for you guys to cover Dan Andrews.

[@menglandau]

Don’t hold your breath.

[@rozzziee6525]

@@menglandau my thoughts exactly haha

[@trevorfitzgerald4996]

She needs to go her and the deputy as well as Scumo and that so call treasurer

[@DrunkAncestor]

Calling out proven breach of standards is "offensive"... right right right...

[@tonys3165]

In the era of trump should we expect anything else from the Murdoch liars.

[@NickSquids]

Yes. More than ever.

[@ripposte]

Poor Gladis 'let down by a no good man' ....lool!

[@Piesy001]

Its funny how these strong women will fall in a pile of love and sweet feminine snow drops if it saves them. So much for equality. An embarrassment to women's rights if they can't stand on their own 2 feet.

[@jacqui9263]

The Robert Menz disclosure being passed is terrible.

[@AB-vw8wz]

Skynews on Dan: HATE HATE HATE Skynews on Berejiklian: INNOCENT INNOCENT INNOCENT

[@jay-uo2bi]

Skynews is such a joke. They don't even hide how biased they are. Media should never be biased.... Media should provide the facts against and for all parties and let people make decisions for themselves.

[@danielsmith3207]

Watch the video, Andrew Clennell is a Sky News journalist

[@therationalcollection2999]

Good timing to start putting the people first

[@dolamitic]

Didn’t she say she was a private person? A private person doesn’t just do a tell all. Also, didn’t she say he meant nothing?

[@thegodofsalad]

That townsville newspaper story is wild! Newspapers really can just grab your picture and almost write whatever they like.

[@sebastienpfeiffer]

Commercial media in Aus is just such garbage.

[@jaydos4265]

She will be sending Murdoch Christmas cards for the rest of his life (too bad Voldemort is immortal)

[@sophitsa79]

He's not immortal

[@dandenardi4584]

how can politicians expect the public to be held accountable for their actions when they themselves are not. whether she was dudded by a bloke is irrelevant, it's what she was privy to & what she did with that information (= nothing) that's paramount to any person holding onto a position of power, particularly a position that involves law-making - what a joke!

[@NickSquids]

Now you're thinking like an indigenous person (:

[@thehodgi1]

This aged well

[@MrRockinson]

Massive thief that should be in prison.

[@suzannespitulski3346]

The whole world has gone mad.

[@billmago7991]

Interesting to revisit this Dec 21

[@robbiemccoy7561]

It's got absolutely nothing to do with the ROOTING, it's got everything to do with the RORTING !!!

[@neilforbes416]

Personally though, I believe she deserves to be sacked for what she and her government did to the Newcastle-to-Wickham stretch of railway on Xmas Night, 2014. May Newcastle NEVER forgive her for that act of TREASON!

[@nickdryad]

Even that so called Lefty, Phillip Adams gushed over Gladys whilst talking to Laura Tingle and the ABC finished every report with a disclaimer saying that Gladys claims she always “acted with integrity” so the ABC is complicit in giving Gladys a bit of a hand with her self promotion.

[@iibdhd8287]

Y is the premier hasn't been charged yet

[@brettbrett9973]

But this show showed them ?

[@VemiX1000]

When I heard about "hot criminals" I lost it. I am just imagining narration like: "I am telling you Julia, aggravated assault in combination with sexual assault is totally IN this season and is sexier.....than.....EVER. I mean even "The Judiciary" magazine's very own Hot Pursuit segment was persecuting the cases for days now!". "You are absolutely spot on Tom! The criminal underground is so vibrant and refreshed with new and bold ideas. I mean have you SEEN Casey go lately? He is definitely rising in the notoriety leader boards especially after he managed to pull off that incredibly risky and controversial combo. To think he was going with the always in season open crime spree and tried to elevate it to a more sophisticated high crime status by adding the very Avantgarde "open conflict with law enforcement" was to me incredibly brave but he pulled it off." "Indeed, that move was just criminally good. I also heard from some of our lady inmates from all around the country that they would and I quote "Totally give him an alibi-job!"."

[@wilsonm.d6923]

With the advertisement segments on news programs, even saying that segment was 'brought to you by'... is still ambiguous. They should declare the segment was 'paid for by'.

[@colleenmolloy5244]

Someone with the expertise to hold the position of Premier you would like to think would be a better judge of character. Now playing a bad boyfriend card just makes her look weak and pathetic

[@jaffa3869]

Why is she still premiere?

[@Crypt_AU]

I love that Clive spent around 100 million on ads and still not got nothing. Lol

[@KayGeeSus1]

How utterly disgusting that a political leader is allowed to spit in the face of the Australian people and the laws of the land, power of the media.

[@marisabenson1222]

So they're promoting junk food to children and even the children are saying no thanks. Isn't there something in advertising about using children?.

[@TheOnlyOne69ify]

You just ran atleast 4-5 Clive adds, what are you talking about?

[@EurekaRepublic89]

Only reason ABC feels emboldened to criticise the Libs is because Friendlyjordies exists.

[@NickSquids]

Wurl, not the only reason. Kudos to useless young people though - FJ is great (:

[@mark-edward.9232]

[It reveals a lot about someone when there willing to have affairs with married men or woman and keep company that is highly questionable.]

[@Ollietheoldie]

Oh God, I saw that Townsville article and skipped it thinking it was satire...

[@preecy227SOAD]

To me, if you listened to how the media tried to defend her, it painted her as either incompetent or very naive of what goes on around her. Either way, it doesn't paint her as someone who should be Premier.

[@mcooley88]

Corrupt, lying and caught out. Shredded documents, a crime and doesn't even have the self respect to resign. Needs to be removed and charged.

[@alexajessop4803]

I wonder how Dazza feels. I want to hear his side of the story

[@NickSquids]

Poor bugger. It's not fair this is happening to him. We should all chip in and buy him another house.

[@ramganesh4067]

nou to deth tacs

[@colleenmolloy5244]

OMG she's offended 😂😂😂

[@davidhauser2665]

Ruby Princess????

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

Having just watched this episode how can Sky always argue the ABC is biased? This commentary on the premier was very well balanced.

[@Huey972]

Sky is a joke news channel.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

@@Huey972 ​ @Hugh A I definitely agree with you but I also believe they are a dangerous organisation. Fortunately it has few viewers but being under the Murdoch Extreme right umbrella it is able to stretch it's vicious tentacles across multiple channels. Have you ever noticed that the hosts have on their shows hosts from their other programs. If not then you can pick their top 5 pollies - Bronwyn Bishop, Corie Bernadi, Mark Latham, Pauline Hanson, and John Olson who is the head of the Federal Liberal Party. What balance???

[@Squashed8Ball]

They can because their boss wants them to in pursuit of his simple agenda. Murdoch wants the ABC shut down so he has less competition for his media empire in Australia. If this were to ever happen he could make even more money and have even more influence over Australian politics.

[@triplejazzmusicisall1883]

@@Squashed8Ball I believe you are completely correct in your statement.

[@Huey972]

@@triplejazzmusicisall1883 yeh I have definitely seen their commentators and hosts. Bolt, Murray, Rohan Dean and the likes with their crazy guests. Absolute insanity

[@keepspace5258]

Buttt... we got no response. hahahaha

[@CarrollLiddell]

Just waiting for the one about Daniel Andrews media coverage.... *Crickets*

[@jessbellis9510]

Oh boy the comment about "Labor's own false claims about Medicare" didn't age well. Anyone who knew about the LNP's approach to public health care would know that it wasn't false or a "Medi-scare" as the Liberals claimed. 3 years later and the LNP have cut/removed THOUSANDS of items from Medicare and the PBS.

[@frankcellini9363]

Its about the job not the person... the Premier and the Prime Minister is a JOB that has to be squeaky clean and of the ultimate importance... its not an ordinary job! Gladys has to now enjoy her lavish retirement and a top end of town job.

[@chrish9155]

Unfortunately she came to a “lucky” land. LOL

[@liamgallagher9681]

LOl you cant even watch the today show now without getting hit with that paid advertisement bs

[@ListenToPumpkinMusic]

That Studio Ten hypocrisy was so good.

[@nosignal88]

3 endorsements of the Murdoch machine

[@michaelgiles7515]

The face of impunity

[@NickSquids]

Media Watch is the hill to die on at/with the ABC.

[@jebusslaves9297]

How soulless are these journalists/reporters/hosts....not to mention the producers/executives.

[@sandragill9916]

Wonder if she is feeling guilty for continually bagging QLD . Probably not 🤬

[@markohart691]

Love and other catastrophes

[@scottmclennan6114]

Mick Young and a Paddington bear.

[@petersmith9771]

Resign!

[@soledadrain9187]

She is not honest