The ABC and the Guardian have urged the One Nation political party to end its policy of barring certain media outlets from its press conferences, arguing that this practice amounts to censorship and limits public accountability. On Tuesday, journalists from the Guardian Australia and the ABC were asked to leave a One Nation press event in Victoria after being identified as reporters from those outlets. The event was hosted by Warren Pickering, the party’s state leader, who admitted to using illegal drugs and drink driving. The journalists had been escorted to the event by hotel staff but were removed by One Nation’s national director, James Ashby, and security personnel. The incident was recorded by both the ABC and the Herald Sun, with the latter sharing details on social media. Other media outlets, such as The Age, have also been excluded from previous One Nation events. The Australian, which first reported on Pickering’s admissions, was not barred from a recent One Nation event but was denied entry to a gathering in Sale, Victoria, last month. This pattern of exclusion has continued since August, when Pauline Hanson, the party’s founder, blocked the ABC, The Age, and the Guardian from a press conference announcing her party’s candidates for the Victorian election. During that event, she praised Rebel News, a right-leaning media outlet, and criticized the ABC for not providing “fair” coverage. ABC’s managing director, Hugh Marks, has criticized the exclusion of the ABC and Guardian from One Nation events, stating it undermines the public’s right to information about political parties and their candidates. He referenced Ashby’s recent comments comparing One Nation’s relationship with the ABC to a “domestic violence” scenario, where the party is repeatedly “beaten” by the media. Marks called Ashby’s remarks “inappropriate and offensive,” particularly to victims of domestic abuse. He argued that the bans are an attempt to avoid scrutiny and control the flow of information to voters. The Guardian’s editor, David Munk, supported the ABC’s stance, calling Ashby’s comments offensive and emphasizing the importance of journalism in a democracy. He noted that One Nation’s ongoing refusal to allow coverage from the ABC and Guardian is a troubling trend. The Guardian has previously investigated One Nation’s finances, governance, and political ties, including its financial support from billionaire Gina Rinehart. Recent tensions have also arisen after Pauline Hanson criticized Guardian reporter Sarah Martin for questioning her about her daughter’s employment with a One Nation senator. These incidents highlight growing concerns about the party’s approach to media engagement and its impact on democratic transparency.