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At least for the time being your media is better than most of the mainstream media in the states. They seem to tell the truth so the government acts upon them. Whereas in the states, the government owns the mainstream media behind the scenes mostly. Australians know China is wanting to influence their country just as they influence the United States. So to me the answer is no you're not North Korea there isn't one man you'd have to kill to make the dominos start to fall but rather they want you to become like China.
I am always amazed on how people tagged medias as fake. I don't really know how they can be branded as fakes when they have proofs, and evidences that supports the news. Is it just because the news is not aligned to what you think is happening? and you oppose what is in the news?. then It is not that news is faked, but your opinion is just BIASED.
Replying to OP
It is really pretty common now to threaten the media in each country (if you're well aware of what is happening right now in SEA). It is saddening, but reality is bullshit