Pauline Hanson's One Nation political party is employing tactics strikingly similar to those popularised by former US President Donald Trump, engaging in a sophisticated dance of media manipulation that sees them both court and condemn journalists. This observation, detailed in a recent Guardian Australian politics report, raises critical questions about the symbiotic, yet often adversarial, relationship between the media and one of Australia's most polarising political forces.
According to the Guardian's analysis by former ABC foreign correspondent and independent MP Zoe Daniel, One Nation's current approach heavily borrows from the "Maga playbook" – a reference to Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign. This strategy involves a blend of direct media engagement, often through carefully curated appearances on platforms sympathetic to their views, alongside a relentless narrative of being unfairly targeted or misquoted by mainstream outlets. The report highlights that while the "misquoted" defence has been a long-standing feature of Hanson's political career, its current iteration shares a distinct resonance with Trump's public broadsides against the "fake news" media.
The Trumpian Echo Chamber
The parallels between One Nation and the Trump phenomenon extend beyond mere rhetoric. Both political entities have demonstrated an astute understanding of how to directly communicate with their supporter base, often bypassing traditional media filters. This is achieved through prolific use of social media and direct-to-constituent messaging, allowing them to frame narratives on their own terms. When mainstream media coverage is perceived as critical, it is swiftly labelled as biased, an attack that simultaneously discredits the reporting and reinforces a sense of shared grievance among their followers. This strategy positions the politician as an underdog battling a hostile establishment, a narrative that has proven potent in mobilising support.
Who's Using Who? A Media Conundrum
Central to the Guardian's report is the uncomfortable question of accountability: is the media inadvertently empowering One Nation? Zoe Daniel explicitly states that "One Nation's rise is the media's fault." This provocative assertion challenges journalists to introspect, suggesting that the media's pursuit of sensationalism, its tendency to offer platforms for provocative voices, and perhaps its occasional failure to rigorously scrutinise claims, may contribute to the very political movements it often seeks to analyse or critique. The argument isn't that One Nation should be ignored, but rather that the manner in which their stories are covered can inadvertently amplify their message and legitimacy, inadvertently feeding into their claims of victimhood when coverage is negative.
The Pre-Maga Precedent
While the "Maga playbook" offers a contemporary lens, the Guardian article notes that Pauline Hanson's long-standing claims of being misquoted or taken out of context predate the Trump era. This suggests a deeply ingrained understanding of media dynamics, perhaps even a pioneering spirit in navigating the often-treacherous waters of political communication. Her ability to pivot between engaging with journalists and then publicly discrediting their work demonstrates a shrewd political acumen that has allowed her party to endure despite numerous challenges. This historical context suggests that while Trump may have popularised certain tactics, Hanson's own political journey has been marked by a consistent and often effective engagement with, and manipulation of, media narratives.
The ongoing dynamic between One Nation and the Australian media presents a complex challenge. As the lines blur between traditional reporting and direct political messaging, the question of who truly holds the power – the politician shaping the narrative, or the journalist reporting on it – remains a subject of intense debate and critical self-reflection within the Australian media landscape.
