Ninemsn nails its colours to the mast: information should be freeNinemsn news executive producer Hal Crawford has written a distinctly bolshie blog post arguing that Rupert Murdoch’s paywall push is a threat to freedom, reports Margaret Simons. Given it’s the most popular news website in the country, that’s no small thing.
December, 2009
Matt Preston: My most delicious decade
That cravat loving Masterchef judge Matt Preston writes on his best Melbourne eats of the decade, as Indian turned into the new Chinese takeway and bar food came into a class of its own.
Untangling the net
A report by academics Catharine Lumby, Lelia Green and John Hartley on how the internet filter could easily end up blocking Australians’ access to important health information and contentious political debate.
Google: Why we don’t support Conroy’s internet filter
Google is, unsurprisingly, unimpressed by Conroy’s internet filter plans. Access to politically controversial topics for public debate is vital for democracy, says the company’s Head of Policy, Iarla Flynn.
A win for journalists and their sources
There has been a significant freedom of the press win in the European Court Of Justice in a battle over the protection of journalists’ sources. The ruling should be read by every court in this country.
ABS national accounts: the pause that refreshes
There was nothing in today’s September quarter national accounts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to confuse or alarm anyone, perhaps not even the federal Opposition, writes Glenn Dyer.
Westpac’s head banana: not fair for home loan borrowers to pay lower rates
When bankers grab hold to the national good to help justify a bad decision, you know — like politicians grabbing onto patriotism — that you are being screwed.
AirAsia X: it may fly here but try to find its office
Notwithstanding Air Asia’s boasts, and its recent 85% “on-time” performance level, potential customers should be aware that AirAsia X has no Australian office.
Morning Market Report: Westpac’s AGM runs smoothie
The market fell all day yesterday on mixed economic data. Gold fell $1.10 to $1122.70, while the Aussie dollar fell to 90.68c.
Australia to join ‘enemies of the internet’ such as Syria, North Korea and Iran
Instituting a mandatory filter to achieve what almost all other Western democracies have managed voluntarily would place Australia in a category of its own for a Western democracy, writes Lelia Green.
Media briefs: Female writer makes more money as a man … Murdoch’s Merry Xmas memo …
A female copywriter and blogger reveals she has been writing under a man’s name for three years — receiving more pay and credibility for the same amount of work. Plus Uncle Murdoch’s Christmas message to staff.
A recycling Tony Abbott shows his green credentials
Tony Abbott has been channelling Prince Philip and some of Australia’s most successful Opposition leaders in an effort to bran himself as a champion of the environment.
Your timing’s off, Costello: an odd time for Liberal triumphalism
It’s fine to celebrate one’s victories, but the Liberals (and Peter Costello) are in danger of misunderstanding, and therefore systematically underestimating, the threat from the Greens.
The Manningham Diaries: Woolies spinner sparks pokies bunfight
Last night at the final Manningham City Council meeting of 2009, pokies giant Woolworths sent one of their spin doctors to the public gallery to ask hostile questions of the shareholder activist turned local politician.
Bernard Keane’s guide to writing to Ministers
Want to vent your fury about net censorship? Bernard Keane offers some tips for making your correspondence to your local MP as painful as possible, drawn from his sordid, blood-soaked and adventure-filled time as a public servant.
An open letter on behalf of drought-affected farmers
Crikey reader and farmer Ron Lennon pens an open letter to Agriculture Minister Tony Burke: farms and farmers need assistance now.
The Media Monitors' Top 20: Copenhagen returns Kevin to his popularity throne
KevinPM finally back to the top as the Copenhagen summit starts looking more like a two week condensation of the climate change debate over the last 12 months in Australia.
Political snippets: A tick for the Treasurer
Latest figures from the ABS show that Treasurer Wayne Swan got it right by refusing to cut down on the stimulus package three months ago. Plus, a second airport for Sydney? Ha!
Ask the economists: Are we out of the woods yet?
Australia’s economic growth in the September quarter rose by just 0.2%. Leading economists give their reaction, and their make predictions for the year ahead.
Aviation White Paper: Sydney airport battle set to roll on
There’s a lot of bricks and mortar reform of the aviation environment in the White Paper, which most of the sectors will welcome as long overdue, but on the loud button political issues of Sydney’s airport needs, it does nothing.
Crikey Readers’ Choice Awards 2009
Mingled with the sweet summer fragrance of sun cream and plastic tinsel is the scent of humiliation — the Crikey Annual Arsehats are back.
Copenhagen: ‘Kyoto killer’ Rudd talks down hopes of strong outcome
PM Kevin Rudd has touched down in Copenhagen and wasted no time in playing down a guarantee of success at the conference, writes Matthew Knott in Copenhagen.
