Many were quick to criticise Facebook earlier this week, when the tech giant announced it would be removing news for all Australian users, should the government’s controversial News Media Bargaining Code be turned into law.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the government would not be “bullied” by Facebook, while ACCC tsar labelled the comments “ill-timed and misconceived”.
But former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has a slightly different take on the unfolding saga.
Sharing a video to his YouTube channel on Monday – just hours before Facebook made its announcement – Rudd questioned the motives behind the proposed code.
“I always get a little bit suspicious when the Murdoch media get excited about something and they’re really excited about this code,” he said.
“I get doubly suspicious when Scotty from Marketing produces legislation to make the Murdoch media feel really happy.
“I’m no fan of Google and Facebook particularly, and I don’t believe anyone’s content should be nicked – but the bottom line is this: we’ve got to ask ourselves ‘what’s actually going on here?’
“And what concerns me most, as someone who’s been in the political process a bit, is what’s the public policy objective here? I would have thought it is something old-fashioned called media diversity.”
You can watch the full video here:
Rudd goes on to say he has not been impressed with the ACCC’s work in creating media diversity, pointing to the watchdog approving Nine’s purchase of Fairfax.
He also suggested the ABC has “been drifting slowly to the right for quite a long period of time as they try to suck up to the current government to preserve their funding base”.
And while the rant has received some positive feedback online, social media has instead been focussing on Rudd’s new look.
One Twitter user likened his appearance to the KFC’s colonel.
From The Milky Bar Kid to Colonel Sanders in the space of a decade.
I like it. pic.twitter.com/2Xn0lMAfrY
— Shep (@shepoldfirm) August 31, 2020
I’ll have a 3 piece box with a Pepsi Max and a fillet burger thanks 😂
— Anton Zed (@AntonZeleznik) August 31, 2020
https://twitter.com/justtweetinman/status/1300348356686823426
Others have said he looks like a pirate.
Fucken love the internet pic.twitter.com/Ne12eB7uqu
— TJ Sexwork is Work, Gunai Kurnai Mob (@Blacky_ChanAU) September 1, 2020
