Crikey -- On politics, media, business, the environment and life

BERNARD KEANE | JOURNALISM| 8

Reporters as ‘co-conspirators’ in Obama’s war on journalism

The Obama administration is engaged in a war on investigative journalism, backed by national security laws. The internet may free up information, but it also aids government surveillance.

PROFESSOR DAMIEN KINGSBURY | MIDDLE EAST| 3

Hope for peace in Syria fades as Russia backs away

Fighting has escalated in Syria, and Russia has started to arm pro-Assad forces. A peaceful end to the civil war is looking less and less likely.

BERNARD KEANE | ECONOMY| 24

Sudden outbreak of responsibility from both parties on budget

The Coalition’s sudden enthusiasm for spending cuts is rather hypocritical — but a welcome embrace of fiscal responsibility. Both major parties are lifting their game, improving the dire standards in political debate.

Crikey Clarifier: why is the EU carbon scheme hitting our budget?

Europe’s low carbon price hit Australia’s budget last week in a big way. Erwin Jackson from the Climate Institute explains why, and looks at what might happen next.

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The Power Index: election deciders, the pollsters at #10

Polling will definitely influence the election outcome on September 14 — but not necessarily in the way you think. Evidence that polling directly influences how people vote is mixed — especially in Australia where nobody wants to be the front-runner.

GLENN DYER | COMPANIES|

Another CEO for Seven in shaky TV times

Seven West Media has another CEO — the second in less than a year. TV man Tim Worner will take over from Don Voelte in July, the company announced to the ASX today.

GUY RUNDLE | EUROPE| 6 UNLOCK?

Hapless Cameron battling Tory enemies within

David Cameron is struggling to keep the Tories together. The party is split on same-sex marriage and the European Union, showing up some poor leadership attributes in the Prime Minister.

CHARLES RICHARDSON | AUSTRALIA| 4 UNLOCK?

Govt massaging the truth on local government referendum

The Gillard government is pressing ahead with its referendum on local government; a draft amendment was issued last week. But is it being straight with the public on what the change would actually mean?

MYRIAM ROBIN | PLAYERS| 2

Slim pickings: the mystery man behind Gates

Bill Gates has overtaken Carlos Slim as the world’s richest man. Who? The Mexican civil engineer turned telecommunications king has extraordinary market penetration and a deep cash pool.

MATTHEW KNOTT | JOURNALISM| 30

‘Chocolate-box TV’: Carlton blasts Hadley Oz Story ‘travesty’

Fairfax columnist Mike Carlton is a staunch defender of the ABC, but not last night’s Australian Story program on 2GB’s Ray Hadley. He plans to lodge a formal complaint.

Crikey Blogs | FEDERAL|

Surprise surprise, asylum seekers turn out to be genuine

Unsurprisingly, new data reveals more than 90 percent of asylum seekers who arrived to Australia by boat this year were found to be genuine. But, of course, the government wants to have it both ways on this issue, writes Charles Richardson.

May
21 CHARLES RICHARDSON | EUROPE|

Mr Cameron and the swivel-eyed loons

The British prime minister faces a two-pronged revolt by the Conservative masses, but it's not yet big enough to split his party.

May
21 MELISSA SWEET | HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH|

A surprising lack of clarity around the definition of core primary health care services

“The implementation of primary health care (PHC) may well be one of the most significant systemic and ideological health reforms of modern times. Countries with stronger PHC systems have demonstrably more efficient, effective, and equitable health care. Primary health care can be considered a philosophy, an approach to the delivery and development of services and [...]

May
21 MELISSA SWEET | FOOD|

$100,000 is on the table for digital innovators with a #publichealth bent

This looks like an interesting project, using digital connections to engage the wider community in developing innovative solutions to a public health problem. If you’re interested in making a pitch to VicHealth’s Seed Challenge, which aims to boost fruit and vegetable consumption in Victoria, you'd better get your running shoes on – the deadline is Friday. [...]

May
21 BERNARD KEANE | JOURNALISM| 8

Reporters as ‘co-conspirators’ in Obama’s war on journalism

The Obama administration is engaged in a war on investigative journalism, backed by national security laws. The internet may free up information, but it also aids government surveillance.

May
21 ALAN DAVIES | PAYWALL| UNLOCK?

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like

Now that cycling is increasingly a “mainstream” mode of transport, there are calls for cyclists to conform to the road rules. That prompts the question why some cyclists don’t in the first place. Australians tend to see cycling as something special — it’s racing, it’s exercise, it’s “cycle chic”, it’s advocacy, it’s identity — but it’s not usually hum-drum […]

May
21 WILLIAM BOWE | PAYWALL| UNLOCK?

Poll Bludger’s seat of the week: diverse Fowler

Fowler covers an area of Labor’s western Sydney heartland from Lansvale, Liverpool and Cabramatta in the east, through Hinchinbrook and Cecil Hills to undeveloped territory beyond the Westlink. The electorate has the second-highest number of non-English speakers of any electorate in the country, ranking in the top 10 for people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Serbian and […]

May
21 1 UNLOCK?