Denis Muller

Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne

Denis's recent articles

Lawsuits, cancellations and bullying: Trump is systematically destroying press freedom

Lawsuits, cancellations and bullying: Trump is systematically destroying press freedom

US President Donald Trump is well advanced in his systematic campaign to undermine the American media and eviscerate its function of holding him and others in power to account.

Neo-Nazis and racist rallies: why it’s important the Australian media call them for what they are

Neo-Nazis and racist rallies: why it’s important the Australian media call them for what they are

If there was any doubt about neo-Nazi leader Thomas Sewell’s racist and anti-democratic attitudes, they were dispelled on the morning of 2 September when he gatecrashed a press conference by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes.

Will Australia’s media do better at cracking down on lies this election? The signs aren’t good

Will Australia’s media do better at cracking down on lies this election? The signs aren’t good

Populism uses the freedoms of democracy against democracy. In particular, populists use freedom of speech to promote hate, incite prejudice, intensify social division and spread lies.

Hugh Marks does not have a background in journalism, yet becomes ex officio editor-in-chief of the ABC. Is he the right person for the job?

Hugh Marks does not have a background in journalism, yet becomes ex officio editor-in-chief of the ABC. Is he the right person for the job?

Aspects of Hugh Marks’s record as chief executive of the Nine Entertainment Company raise questions about his suitability for the position of managing director of the ABC, to which he has just been appointed.

The ABC’s racism review is scathing. Can Aunty find the strength of character to properly address it?

The ABC’s racism review is scathing. Can Aunty find the strength of character to properly address it?

I am writing this because no one at the ABC — whose producers invited me onto their coronation coverage as a guest — has uttered one word of public support. Not one ABC executive has publicly refuted the lies written or spoken about me. I don’t hold any individual responsible; this is an institutional failure.

Media go for drama on Victorian election - and miss the story

Media go for drama on Victorian election - and miss the story

For the best part of two weeks, Victorian voters were told by the media that the election on November 26 might result in either a hung parliament or a minority Labor government.

Scare-mongering on China is a threat to our democracy and responsible media must guard against it

Scare-mongering on China is a threat to our democracy and responsible media must guard against it

There is a great deal more at stake than national security in Scott Morrison’s hyper-partisan and grossly dishonest accusation that Anthony Albanese and his deputy, Richard Marles, are carrying the hopes of the Chinese regime at the forthcoming election.

Failure to communicate? PM's media strategy may need a reset

Failure to communicate? PM's media strategy may need a reset

Morrison's chances of another election victory may be undermined by his eroding plausibility and overly heavy reliance on the Murdoch media.

Whether a ratings chase or ideological war, News Corp’s coronavirus coverage is dangerous (The Conversation 22.7.20)

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation... has become a clear and present danger to the welfare of Australian society. What a  contrast between The Daily Telegraph’s coverage of the Ruby Princess debacle (Coalition government in New South Wales) and the Herald Sun’s coverage of the hotel quarantine debacle (Labor government in Victoria).