Here, we might pause to note that freedom of expression, and more specifically of the press, is not simply a right that gives citizens the ability to say what they want. That is a limited, if prevalent, view. Freedom of expression includes the ability to share one’s thoughts in public, provided, of course, that they do not constitute hate speech. Freedom of expression is also a structural matter. It implies that we have a right to information and, to a lesser extent, an expectation of diversity in the ideas that circulate publicly. The lack of diversity of media ownership undermines freedom of expression precisely because it denies an oppositional voice within the established parameters of discourse. If we take this view of freedom of expression, it becomes our responsibility to hear many perspectives and to ensure that diverse voices are heard.

This definition has consequences for how we should respond to the present challenges. It is not enough to say that we expect literary journals to receive funding. It is not enough to call for funding with a sense of outrage or entitlement. Writers and editors have been doing that since George Brandis’s funding cuts in 2014, or going right back to the conception of the Australia Council fifty years ago. The sector also needs to re-articulate and influence the terms of debate precisely because of the political conditions in Australia today.

Literary journals and arts publications don’t just contribute to the artistic excellence of the nation. They complement freedom of expression in the broadest sense of that term. This is where literature and criticism are distinct from painting or dance. The latter do, of course, play a role in expression; but the rights, expectations, and responsibilities weigh differently in language. This is where the non-funding of journals like Overland, Sydney Review of Books, and The Lifted Brow, and publications like eyeline, Artlink, and Art Monthly Australasia, must be looked at in the context of the disappearance of country newsrooms, the death of online reporting outlets, raids on journalists, the denial of archival access, and changes to the privacy of citizens.

When it comes to writing specifically, this is part of a wider discussion about access to information, the right to press diversity, the concentration of media, regional representation, and the professional rights of writers, critics, and editors. Here, our allies are not only fellow literary journals and arts publications but also the Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance, unemployed reporters and other media staff, and a range of those who work in language itself and are under pressure including casuals and sole traders.

The decision to deny funding to ABR is a blow to the publication itself but also part of a wider culture war that does a disservice to everyone. It undermines one of the pillars of the nation – freedom of expression, which means the circulation of ideas that allow our democracy to encourage citizens to be the best version of who they are.