Today, Professor of Journalism at Bond University and the author of The Journalist’s Guide to Media Law Mark Pearson states the obvious in Crikey.
December, 2010
Crikey Says: Most journalists…
book reviews 
Other Stories — by Wayne Macauley
Other Stories brings together Melbourne-based Wayne Macauley’s output over the past decade and counting. The collection is filled with ‘other’ stories—tales that are other, or outside the mainstream, writes Elizabeth Bryer.
Why losing the World Cup bid is an economic win
There is very little economic gain to be had by hosting giant sporting events, writes economist Dennis Coates. So why do countries — and Australia is as guilty as the rest of them — continue to overbid for them?
Sailing through pirate waters
A terrifying tale of sailing through the Gulf of Aden waters, notorious for hostage-taking Somali pirates. Rose George explains how “pirate watch” works. Will jets of water hold up against an AK-47?
Screw you FIFA. And screw you Qatar. And sucked in England
Money talks. But when it comes to FIFA and bidding for a World Cup, money not only talks, it sings sweet corrupting love songs that, like a siren from a Greek legend, lures crusty old white men from FIFA to host the World’s biggest sporting event in Qatar, writes an angry Leigh Josey.
Wenders’ Wings to fly again
German director Wim Wenders’ cult cinema classic Wings of Desire will return to screens in Australia via broadcasts on the World Movies channel, which prompted film critic Lynden Barber to reflect on the film’s poetic core themes and its representations of Berlin.
And the new hosts of the The 7:30 Report are…
After much speculation, it’s finally been confirmed. Christ Uhlmann and Leigh Sales are to host the The 7:30 Report next year, which has been renamed as 7:30. Bad idea to lose the brand prestige with the name change, says Dan Barrett.
Trade not aid for Haiti
Nearly a year on from the Haiti earthquakes and a cholera epidemic and unrest continue to plague the troubled nation. But the influx of aid has a major negative side for the developing country, writes Nicholas Kristof.
Dear Hotmail: it’s not me, it’s you…
Jack Shafer began his romance with Hotmail in 1998. She was free, formidable and easy to use but in the subsequent years Hotmail got possessive - and now Shafer explains why the time has come to part ways.
A timeline of Britain’s economic recession
The Guardian has compiled a pictorial timeline that charters the ups and downs of the UK’s trek through economic recession, which began in January 2008 and is now officially over.
cricket The Ashes Open Thread: Adelaide Day 1
So here we are. After the test from hell last week, where we somehow drew after a first innings lead of 221, where a part-time off spinner was the sole Australian wicket taker in England’s mammoth second innings, we fly down to beautiful Adelaide for the second Test, writes Tom Cowie.
Want to rent Mark Zuckerberg’s old house?
It’s got a huge family room, a wood-burning fireplace and presumably a pretty good internet connection. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has moved out of his old shack in Palo Alto and it’s now on the rental market. Price? US$7850 a month.
Wired and dangerous: hacking on the rise in China
Official government figures from the Ministry of Public Security in China boldly claims 8 out of 10 computers in China have at some point been remotely controlled using malicious software and that 200+ government websites have been attacked by hackers, reports Zhang Yan.
Food fight! Arguments flare over National Food Policy Group
Health policy consultant Margo Saunders has been investigating the background to the announcement this week of an industry-dominated group to advise on the development of a national food plan. It seems some bureaucratic food fights are underway.
War is a-ragin’ between the RBA and Treasury
A war is raging between the Reserve Bank of Australia, which is trying to ween Australians off debt addiction, and Treasury, which is using the budget to try and keep the population spending.
Will Obama backflip on tax cuts for the wealthy?
Wary Democrats are publicly airing concerns that Barack Obama will renege on one of his key priorities and compromise on tax cuts for the wealthy, in an attempt to harden the President’s resolve, writes Arthur Delaney.
travel Laughing about murder: an awkward Kyrgyzstan taxi
It was pitch dark and minus 10 when Robin O’Brien left Murghab, Tajikistan for Osh, Kyrgyzstan. The first stretch of the journey was easy but trouble wasn’t far off: border bosses and traffic cops wanting money and ‘discussions’ and one taxi driver with a particularly morbid sense of humour.
Inside the Department of Health and Ageing: a document dump
A wealth of information about the structures, programs and processes of the Department of Health and Ageing has been released in response to FOI requests for the department’s brief to the incoming government. Melissa Sweet examines the documents.
Kicking Kyoto around in Cancun
The negotiations in Cancun need a path towards a comprehensive, fair, ambitious and binding global deal, and there are many obstacles to overcome. One of the hot topics is the Kyoto Protocol and Japan’s denouncement of it, reports Phillip Ireland from Mexico.
New safety defect found in Qantas A380 engines
Even before it completed its first flight from London to Sydney since the fleet was grounded, a Qantas A380 is the subject of a new safety alert. The incident caused major problems with the A380, including multiple punctures of the wing, fuel tanks and fuel lines and control cabling, writes Ben Sandilands.
Are women an offense to God’s eyes?
His son never married a woman and was born by a virgin who never used her “womanly organs.” One of his son’s female pals was possessed by demons. “He” is, of course, God. Roger Ebert asks: does God hate women?
Christmas fun with Uncle Onthemoon’s Advent Calendar
It’s that magical time of year and once again we are happily trotting out another Crikey Advent Calendar! Deck the halls!
Meet the 22 FIFA men who will decide Australia’s 2022 World Cup fate
Who are the 22 men whose votes will decide where the 2022 World Cup is held? And how are they likely to vote? Neil Walker investigates.
How governmental silos are stuffing up food policy
An extraordinary disconnect in Australian food policy development occurred yesterday, writes associate professor Mark Lawrence, of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention at Deakin University.
