Fairfax scoops paper awards. Plus, a disgruntled subbie’s joke at The Age, Look, we trashed our masthead for you Gaz! and other media news of the day.
August, 2010
Political snippets: Does either side really want to govern?
You have to start wondering whether either Labor or the Coalition really wants to become the government of Australia under the conditions where it would have to deal with independents and a Green.
Video of the Day: Ziggy played guitar — but never like this
Fancy yourself a bit of a guitar player? Maybe you can pluck a few strings and strum a few chords but the Crikey team are willing to bet you can’t play the ‘tar quite like this incredibly talented muso from Botswana.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Dutton’s $40m worth of pork. Word has it that Peter Dutton made some $40 million worth of promises for spending within Dickson if the Coalition was returned. Not sure if these promises were part of the total counted budgeted costing or additional spending. If this sort of promised money was repeated across the 30-plus marginals […]
Crikey Says: Future of newspapers so bright you need shades
Don’t get us wrong, we really love the NT News.
Why we shouldn’t rush back to the polls
The three independents bring three different backgrounds and three wildly different opinions on everything. Which is to be encouraged and emulated, by both the major parties and the media, writes Peter Browne.
Strange looking sea creatures
Exploring the ocean floor in waters near Indonesia, a team of American scientists have discovered up to 40 new plant and animal species, some of which are photographed in this impressive collection of weird looking sea things.
Coming soon to Channel Ten: Eleven
Hot on the heels of the 7Mate announcement by Seven and the announcement that Channel 9 will launch…something, the Ten Network have announced the launch of their new digital multi-channel named ‘Eleven,’ writes Dan Barrett.
Kelly: Don’t stuff this up Australia
The hung parliament means the three independents have a chance to create a Parliamentary Budget Office. But they are squandering their opportunity, says Paul Kelly
Fairfax flying high
It seems the rumours about Fairfax’s death were greatly exaggerated. After delving into the red last year to the tune of $380 million the company has defied expectations and bounced back with surging profits.
The rise of the Xooglers: what Google employees do when they leave the building
Google has over 10,000 employees worldwide so, it stands to reason, they also have a lot of nerdy ex-employees. These people have a name - Xooglers - and here is a list of some of the companies they’ve created.
Why smartphones might not revolutionise the world
The uptake in smartphone usage has been steadily increasing in recent years, but it’s not as high as you might think. Mashable crunches the numbers.
Some zany ideas to save dwindling industries
Inspired by the Recording Industry Association of America’s recent attempts to make FM radio receivers a legal requirement for some electronic devices, Wired suggests some other wacky ways to revive on the out industries.
Google Gmail: now with extra phone calls
A new addition to Gmail, which allows users to make cheap or free phone calls, appears to have become an instant hit - attracting more than one million calls in its first 24 hours from net-savvy skinflints.
Speeding, police + youtube = a long stint in the can?
American Anthony Graber’s annoyance at being issued a speeding ticket was overshadowed when he uploaded a video of it onto youtube. Now embroiled in a debate about wiretapping and freedom of speech, he’s facing a hefty prison sentence.
Former Bush Campaign Chief comes out of the closet
Ken Mehlman, who managed George W. Bush’s Presidential campaign in 2004, this week announced to friends and family that he is gay. Mehlman claims he privately opposed Republican attacks on same sex marriage.
PHOTO GALLERY The 2010 Spanish tomato fight festival
Fancy a bit of a food fight? How about a TOMATO food fight? Check out these happy snaps from this year’s Spanish Tomato Fight Festival.
Guy Rundle: I did not misunderestimate Tony Abbott
Guy Rundle’s big error in pre-election reporting was not underestimating Abbott, but overestimating Labor. Merely saying that Labor has a pulse would have been to overestimate them, says Rundle.
Chillax everybody: hung parliaments aren’t so bad
With all the current commotion about Australia’s hung parliament, you’d be excused for thinking it was something new and novel. But we’ve been here before and guess what: not much changed, says Richard Ackland.
Theatre review: West Side Story —
For a story about bloody gang warfare and bitter racial tension, West Side Story is pretty gay. As in flamboyant, homosexual if you will, not the negative connotation The Kids have given it, says Jason Whittaker.
The dog ate my Treasury costings
After Tony Abbott denied the three independent amigos’ request for Coalition Treasury costings - arguing public servants don’t understand opposition policies as well as government policies - he has now changed his tune and is offering a new excuse, writes Michelle Grattan.
Should Australia go back to the polls?
Daily Media Wrap: It is fair to say this whole election thing just didn’t work out. As Australian politics hangs in suspended animation, waiting for somebody to press the “play” button, the idea has been floated that perhaps we could reset the clock and head back to the polls.
leaked 
Bombshell UN report: ‘crimes of genocide’ against Hutus
A massive UN report, detailing war crimes in the Congo between 1993-2003, has finally been leaked to the press. The most controversial claim: that the massacres and attacks by Rwandan and Congolese troops against Hutus were an act of genocide.
