Frankly, it doesn’t matter if Nine chairman Peter Costello physically touched, pushed or shirtfronted The Australian’s journo Liam Mendes.
It’s clear from the video that 6 foot 4 inch Costello walked in a way to ensure Mendes fell. And he certainly didn’t stop to help Mendes up, or to enquire about any injuries.
In his actions Costello has joined a very select group who have undermined a key plank of human rights protections: the safety of journalists.
And that is no laughing matter. It’s certainly one that the Costello family should know something about.
Costello’s own son Seb is a working journalist with Nine’s A Current Affair where they have had to use security guards to keep the journalists safe.
But then again, Seb has had his own issues with physical assault complaints…
Other prominent figures who have tangled physically with journalists include Clive Palmer, who pushed
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