OPINION: I worked at Sky News 'after dark' while right-wing guests slammed people just like me
In the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attack, my social media feeds have filled with people expressing their shock and disbelief that something like this could happen in our part of the world.This is because for the past three years, I've worked at Sky News. More specifically, Sky News"after dark" — when the rolling coverage of the day's news makes way for conservative commentators to share the"opinions you can't ignore".
I was a liaison for the channel based in their Canberra studio, a junior role helping with studio guests and the running of the office as a casual a few times a week. I realised pretty quickly though that the Sky News I worked on wasn't focused on reporting facts and informing the public. Rather, conservative media commentators came together with current and former right-wing politicians, disseminating misinformation which bordered on conspiracies.I compromised my values and beliefs to stand idly by as I watched commentators and pundits instil more and more fear into their viewers.
I'd walk commentators to the studio where after some very polite chit chat —"how are you?","how's uni going?"— they'd go on air and talk about my community.
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