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Rita Panahi

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Rita Panahi
Born1976
Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States
Occupation(s)Political commentator, columnist, television and radio presenter
Years active2007–present
Known forConservative political commentary; hosting The Rita Panahi Show, Lefties Losing It, The Friday Show on Sky News Australia; columns in Herald Sun

Rita Panahi (born 1976) is an Australian political commentator and columnist known for her conservative stance and Iranian heritage. She contributes to the Herald Sun, a publication under News Corp Australia, and hosts programs such as The Rita Panahi Show, Lefties Losing It, and The Friday Show on Sky News Australia. Additionally, she appears on the Seven Network's Sunrise and features regularly on radio stations 3AW and 2GB. Her commentary is generally characterized as right-leaning and conservative.

Early life and education

Panahi was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA, to Iranian parents. Shortly after her birth, the family moved back to Iran, settling in Tehran by 1979. During the Iranian Revolution, her mother was employed at a hospital affiliated with the Shah. The family endured persecution under the Shia Islamist regime led by Ayatollah Khomeini, prompting their asylum application and subsequent relocation to Melbourne, Australia, in 1984.

While pursuing studies at Monash University, Panahi worked in the banking sector but did not complete her Bachelor of Business degree specializing in Finance. Early in her career, she was involved with Australian Young Labor and volunteered during the 1996 federal election campaign. She became Colonial Mutual’s youngest branch manager before later obtaining an MBA from Swinburne University.

Media career

Panahi’s media journey began with a weekly sports gossip column for the free commuter publication mX. This exposure led to frequent appearances on sports radio station SEN. In September 2007, she joined the Herald Sun, part of News Corp Australia’s network. Her media presence expanded to include regular contributions on Sky News Australia, Seven Network’s Sunrise, and radio outlets 3AW and 2GB. In March 2018, she took on hosting duties for The Friday Show broadcast on Sky News Live.

Views

Although often labeled conservative and right-wing, Panahi expresses notably progressive opinions on certain social matters. Writing for SBS, journalist Margaret Simons highlighted Panahi’s opposition to homophobia and her advocacy for women’s autonomy in choosing single motherhood—a path Panahi herself has embraced.

She disputes assertions that Australia suffers from systemic racism, challenging the characterization of the Commonwealth as inherently racist.

In January 2017, encouraged by Michael Kroger, Panahi considered seeking Liberal Party pre-selection for the Victorian state seat of Frankston.

Panahi openly identifies as an atheist.

Islam

As a former adherent of Islam, Panahi critiques certain elements within the religion and accuses segments of the progressive left of enabling Islamist ideologies in Western societies by excusing conduct they would otherwise condemn if exhibited by non-Muslims. She challenges Western feminist perspectives that interpret garments such as the burka, niqāb, and hijab as symbols of empowerment, emphasizing their political as well as religious significance—garments she experienced being imposed during her childhood in Iran. Despite this critique, she does not advocate for a total prohibition on Muslim immigration. Panahi supports public statements made against veiling by fellow ex-Muslims like Darya Safai and Yasmine Mohammed.

In January 2015, Panahi engaged in a debate with Andrew O'Keefe on Weekend Sunrise, calling for thoughtful dialogue concerning issues within Muslim communities. She rejected comparisons equating Islam with other religions regarding terrorism. That same month, she authored an article titled "Islam, you have a very serious problem" for The Daily Telegraph, which sparked criticism including an open letter published by news outlet New Matilda.

Asylum seekers

In an opinion piece for The Australian, Panahi called for halting maritime arrivals while firmly endorsing Australia's humanitarian program through official pathways. She acknowledged that offshore detention facilities, though criticized by human rights organisations, remain an uncomfortable yet essential measure to deter perilous sea journeys.[1]

Monarchy

Panahi transitioned from advocating a republic to endorsing the Monarchy of Australia, highlighting its role in providing stability and a respected, non-political figurehead. She rejected the objectives of the Australian Republic Movement, aligning with former Senator David Leyonhjelm in viewing monarchy debates as largely irrelevant to the majority of Australians. Panahi expressed disapproval of public remarks made by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, asserting they undermined Queen Elizabeth's reputation. Prior to the Queen's passing in 2022, she stated her preference for the crown to be inherited by Prince William instead of Charles.

US politics

Leading up to the 2020 United States presidential election, Panahi supported Donald Trump's bid for a second term, contending that his presidency would better safeguard Australian national security compared to a Biden administration. She also accused media organizations of ignoring growing support for Trump among black, gay, and Hispanic communities in order to maintain a narrative portraying him as racist.[2][3]

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SBS
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  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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