We have spent weeks listening to political arguments, examining party policies, watching interviews and following the campaign. We have heard politicians challenged, criticised, questioned and, in some cases, thoroughly embarrassed.
I am not suggesting that journalists should be prevented from expressing opinions. Freedom of expression is fundamental to democracy. Nor am I suggesting that every political party deserves favourable coverage or that every viewpoint must receive identical airtime.
But I do believe that accuracy, fairness and intellectual honesty should be non-negotiable.
If politicians are expected to be accountable to the people, why should journalists and media organisations be exempt from the same expectation of public scrutiny?
They shouldn’t be.
The media have every right to question our politicians. But the public has every right to question the media.
And that, surely, is what a healthy democracy is all about.
