On ABC Q&A's ~fake news~ special on Monday night, a man named Edwin Nelson had the chance to ask an interesting question about news outlets that, he says, focus too much on topics like feminism and "homosexual marriage".
"When Donald Trump calls CNN and the New York Times 'fake news', I feel that what he is saying is that there is a left-wing bias across the mainstream media," Nelson began.
"Personally I feel the media – and especially the ABC – tends to focus on progressive topics such as climate change, homosexual marriage, and feminism – but neglects issues such as Judeo-Christian values, national identity and the problems with multiculturalism. Do you agree, and if so, what's the solution?"
Nelson also happens to be a former staff member for NSW Liberal MP Kevin Conolly. Last year, Nelson was widely condemned by members of his own party over comments he made on Facebook about homosexuality.
Nelson wrote several Facebook statuses about homosexuality, comparing "two homosexual men" sleeping together to incest and suggesting "homosexuality can have detrimental effects on others too when they adopt children".
Q&A's executive producer Peter McEvoy sent the following statement to BuzzFeed News:
Yes - we knew he was a former staffer but saw no need to single him out for extra disclosure. His old job isn't important. What's important is that he's not misrepresenting himself or trying to deceive. So when the questioner begins his question arguing the media has a "left wing bias", that it focuses too much on "left wing issues" like climate change and not enough on "Judeo-Christian values" or "some of the problems of multiculturalism" then the audience can tell he's coming from a conservative position. His opinions are there in plain view for all to see and Q&A viewers can recognise those opinions and factor that into their assessment of his question.