According to the ABC blurb for Monday night’s Media Watch – “everyone loves it till you’re on it”, which is very true.

Recent events in the US remind us of the value of our public interest news services on the ABC and SBS, and programs like Media Watch which hold our public figures to account.

No such protections are in place for Americans concerned about spending cuts on defence and immigration enforcement measures, and cuts to healthcare programs, which the Trump administration describes as “savings” to eliminate fraud and waste. No fact checking there.

Instead, they must witness a social media slanging match between Trump and his critics or former buddies. Trump uses his personal social media account to announce policies on the run, without involving any interpretation or commentary by mainstream media outlets, with major implications for the quality of information received by the public.

For example, on Wednesday the month-long feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Tesla and SpaceX boss, Elon Musk, was reignited as Musk tries to derail passage of the so called, ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ through Congress, drawing attention to what he called “insane spending” that would deepen US debt.

In this era of disinformation and the domination of Big Tech, the role of public interest journalism is more important than ever.

ABC Friends believes that our democracy needs a strong and diverse media, with public interest journalism at its core.

The continued high standards set by Media Watch, a 15-minute weekly slot which identifies, investigates and examines perceived failings in news coverage by Australian media outlets, including the ABC, is a good start.

The recent arrival of Linton Besser in the chair of Media Watch continues the work done over more than 25 years, starting with Stuart Littlemore as inaugural host, and until last year Paul Barry, and many other distinguished journalists.

Introducing Besser in February this year media writer Jacqueline Maley (Sydney Morning Herald) pointed out that with institutions of all kinds being currently disrupted all over the world, it is comforting that in his first outing as the program’s new host, Besser displayed some reverence for Media Watch tradition.

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“Besser is an outstanding award-winning journalist (previously employed by the SMH) with rigid integrity and a bloodhound’s nose for a story,” she said.

“There is no questions about whose interests he is there to protect – the punters.”

Australian punters are lucky to have Besser and Media watch - Donald Trump would loathe them both.

Media Watch page on the ABC web site