I’m very pleased that the Independent Media Council (IMC) upheld 3 complaints against The West Australian newspaper for their coverage of me in 2023 and 2024; in particular the IMC determined that reporting of the 2023 Perth mayoral race was neither fair nor balanced.

It's a shame that I had to make a formal complaint to the IMC to secure an independent judgement on the one-sided campaign coverage – coverage that has caused me and my family considerable distress.

I accept that candidates standing for public office are going to be the subject of legitimate scrutiny; that is a vital part of our democratic process. All I ever sought was for that scrutiny to be fair and balanced and to apply equally to the other candidates – in this case Channel 7 employee and WAN columnist Basil Zempilas.

The IMC has now found clearly that The West Australian did not provide that fair and balanced coverage in what is a deeply concerning failing for our State’s major media outlet.

In its proposed remedial steps, the IMC said:

“We recommend that WAN make an apology to Ms Anghie for the damage done to her prospects of being elected Lord Mayor of Perth due to its failure to provide a fair and balanced coverage of her campaign.”

In upholding another complaint, the IMC ruled that an article earlier this year regarding some of my social media posts breached WAN’s own Code of Conduct in numerous ways and carried a “hostile and unfair tone”.

I thank the IMC for their careful deliberation.

You can read the determination via the link below: