In a recent opinion piece for the Sydney Morning Herald, the author reflects on their experience in the 'news chair,' expressing concern over what they describe as a rising tide of aggressive public behavior directed at journalists. The author suggests that the media industry is facing a new and dangerous level of hostility, which they refer to as the 'worst of the mob.'

The article serves as a commentary on the current state of public discourse and the pressures faced by those in the news profession. While the author frames this as an encroaching threat to the integrity and safety of the press, the piece functions primarily as a personal reflection rather than a report on specific events or data-driven trends. Because the article is an opinion column, it does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes behind this perceived hostility, nor does it offer a counter-perspective on the public's relationship with media institutions. The author’s central argument is that the nature of public criticism has shifted from constructive feedback to a more volatile and threatening form of engagement, which they believe is becoming a significant challenge for newsrooms globally.