A closer look at government attacks on the internet shows some are far more effective and targeted than others. Many are driven by the interests of powerful stakeholders able to influence policy makers in preserving pre-digital sources of revenue or authority.
June, 2011
Spratt: Direct Action could reward polluters rather than discourage
Without any mechanism to discourage additional carbon emissions, the Coalition’s “direct action” climate plan may perversely reward them, says David Spratt.
Why aren’t bottles recycled? ‘People don’t want water that tastes funny’
Australians were urged to recycle the more than 260 litres of bottled water they consumed last year. Yet none of those bottles were made from recycled plastic, writes Nicole Gooch.
Campaign xenophobia driven by foreign donations ban
Almost everyone in mainstream politics says they oppose xenophobia, but foreigners have few friends among advocates of campaign finance reform, writes Andrew Norton, a research fellow at the Centre for Independent Studies.
Regime change edges closer in Syria
It’s hard to know where to look first in the Middle East, as the region’s attempt at a transition to democracy continues to be a violent and uncertain affair.
This law can go #$%* itself
If I’m subject to a law, I generally like to know how I can avoid breaking it, writes Aidan Wilson, of Crikey language blog Fully (sic).
Morning Market Report: US markets close down again
US economic data failed to inspire.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The war in Afghanistan paradox
Crikey readers have their say.
Media briefs: NYT‘s first female ed … beefed up correction …
The Department of Corrections. I’d be disappointed too if I was promised a steak dinner but all I got was “beef on a bun”. Plus, Julian Assange wins Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism and other media news.
Political snippets: First you pull them apart
When politicians perform in Parliament they have two audiences. The immediate one is their parliamentary colleagues; the second is the voters outside the chamber.
Video of the Day: From the desk of Donald
Donald Trump and his Republican pal Sarah Palin caught up for pizza and performed a major New Yorker faux pas. Shock horror: they ate it with knives and forks! Donald takes to YouTube to explain his poor behaviour and also why he doesn’t eat the crusts…
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
CEO holidays on the company dime. Which $6 million-a-year CEO has been taking annual holidays with his family on the company tab? Three weeks at a Tuscan villa was one destination, nanny for the kids, first class tickets. Nearly $100,000 per year spent. No mention in the remuneration reports or statements to the market about […]
Crikey Says: Welcome to war on the internet
The information wars are underway, yet most of us toil away on the web, blissfully unaware of the artillery fire lighting up the distant horizon.
My Cup Of Tea: Hey latte-lovers, art works just as well on the fringe
A down-at-heel suburb attracts artists due to its low rents and ample work space, for instance in former warehouses or lofts. Arts institutions priced out of the inner city should move to the suburbs.
Angela Meyer: writer and e-book self-publisher extraordinaire
Literary Minded’s Angela Meyer has decided to self-publish some of her popular short stories as e-books. They can be purchased for the bargain price of 99c each.
Broadcast love and audio intercourse on the wireless
In radio, a problem second can feel an eternity — will someone find their tongue? Has the guest frozen up? Oh god, is it boring? W H Chong discusses his recent spot of audio intercourse on Melbourne’s RRR radio station.
Sony hacked: first PSN, now Pictures
A group of hackers known as ‘LulzSec’ have infiltrated the Sony Pictures website, compromising more than 1 million user accounts. In the wake of the Sony PSN fiasco, it hasn’t been a great year for the company, writes Christina Warren.
25 observations about the form and power of storytelling
In a list of 25 points Chuck Wendig explains why he loves storytelling and offers curt and colourful advice to budding writers such as “villains have mothers” and “heroes have broken toys.”
Qantas to cull cabin crew, pilots next?
Qantas offered voluntary redundancy to all 7000 cabin attendants yesterday, raising concerns among pilots that it may also be planning a reduction in pilot numbers, writes Ben Sandilands.
Bob Brown v the media
In an illuminating interview with politics professor John Keane, Bob Brown canvasses a range of subjects including the quality of the climate change debate and his war on News Limited’s “hate media.”
Taking us deeper into the war in Afghanistan
The tragic deaths in Afghanistan of Australian servicemen keep coming and with every one of them our politicians keep talking us into the situation where there will be more of them, writes Richard Farmer.
