this is the fight of our lives

For the past month, Michael West Media has been defending itself in the Federal Court against Australia's biggest company. BHP chose to bring legal action against us and former coal worker Simon Turner over reporting on allegations relating to Mount Arthur Coal. Now, after pursuing the case, BHP is seeking costs orders against both the worker and the independent newsroom it sued. Let's be clear about the imbalance here. On one side is a multinational corporation worth hundreds of billions of dollars, backed by some of the country's most expensive legal teams. On the other is a self represented former coal miner and a small independent media organisation funded by readers. This is not just about us. If powerful corporations can use litigation, suppression orders and the threat of legal costs to discourage scrutiny, every journalist and every independent publisher in Australia should be paying attention. Journalism only works when reporters are able to investigate powerful interests without fear of being financially crushed for doing so. For Michael West Media, this is a fight for our survival. For independent journalism, it is a fight over whether public interest reporting can continue to hold powerful institutions to account. We will continue to stand our ground. And we couldn't do it without the readers, viewers, subscribers and supporters who make independent journalism possible. Read more at michaelwest.com.au