Unlike its other military engagements, the federal government’s war on journalism is making good progress. This week’s casualties include several battalions of the ABC’s pesky Left Wing critics, who have been forced back into their bunkers by some effective policy work from General Scott of the Ultimo command. Elsewhere, the persistence of Brigadier Coonan has produced swift results as waves of media owners sweep over the cross-media barriers, with sightings of several units of investment bankers in their wake.

The broader strategy remains focused on the defeat of independent journalism, especially where it is practised by Left Wing elites and members of the Commentariat. The government’s emergency media legislation, which has been expedited through parliament, aims to ensure that loyal moguls are given carriage of the national debate and direct the employment of the journalism troops, whose numbers can be significantly reduced to great effect. On the public broadcasting front, the strategy aims to ensure that the ABC handles recalcitrant producers and presenters with military precision based on new guidelines and bureaucracy.

No-one suggests this will be an easy war to win. There will undoubtedly be many challenges and infractions along the way. But in the government’s war on independent journalism there is simply no option of cutting and running.