Pauline Hanson has long mastered the art of playing the media while simultaneously attacking it—a tactic borrowed straight from Donald Trump’s playbook. This contradiction raises urgent questions about media responsibility in an age of information manipulation. As One Nation rises, the media’s role in normalising populist rhetoric cannot be ignored.
The Trump-Hanson Parallel: Playing Both Sides
Just as Trump labeled journalists the “enemy of the people,” Hanson routinely accuses the media of twisting her words. Yet both politicians have benefited enormously from free coverage. In 2016, Trump received an estimated US$5.9 billion in free media. Hanson has similarly enjoyed outsized attention over three decades.
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Case Study: Hanson's Domestic Violence Remarks
Recently, Hanson told Brisbane radio station 4BC that domestic violence is “a two-way street.” While she admitted violence is wrong, she also suggested women should simply leave abusive partners. The data, however, shows that leaving is the most dangerous time for victims. Hanson then took to social media, claiming her comments were misrepresented—a classic Trumpian move.
| Tactic | Trump | Hanson |
|---|---|---|
| Label media as enemy | Yes | Yes |
| Claim misrepresentation | Frequent | Frequent |
| Benefit from free coverage | US$5.9B (2016) | Decades of amplified reach |
| Blame “fake news” | Yes | Yes |
Key Takeaways
- Populist leaders exploit media amplification while condemning it.
- Hanson’s domestic violence comments ignore evidence that men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators.
- “Leaving” is statistically the most dangerous time for victims, contrary to Hanson’s advice.
- The media must reflect on its role in normalising such figures.
Who Is Really Using Whom?
The media gives populists a platform; in return, populists undermine media trust. This symbiotic relationship benefits both in the short term but erodes public discourse. Journalists face a dilemma: cover controversial figures to inform the public, or risk being accused of bias. Either way, politicians like Hanson and Trump win.
FAQ
Is Pauline Hanson’s media strategy really like Trump’s?
Yes. Both accuse mainstream media of bias while leveraging free coverage to amplify their messages. Hanson’s recent post claiming her comments were “twisted” mirrors Trump’s “fake news” rhetoric.
Why does the media give Hanson so much attention?
Controversy drives clicks and ratings. Hanson’s provocative statements guarantee high engagement, but this also normalises extreme viewpoints. The media must balance newsworthiness with responsibility.
What does the data say about domestic violence?
Intimate partner violence is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men. Leaving an abusive relationship is often the most dangerous period for victims—contradicting Hanson’s suggestion that women should simply “don’t put up with it.”
The media landscape is fractured. While populists like Hanson and Trump benefit from the attention, the public loses trust in journalism. The only real solution is for media outlets to critically examine their own role—before the cycle continues.
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