Journalism experts fear the Gillard government’s media inquiry, which is expected not to examine bias or media ownership, is shaping up to be a missed opportunity and waste of time.
September, 2011
The opposition was right to walk out on Gillard
Politicians insist parliamentary debates are important but there’s no evidence they are. The collection of speeches given to a chamber almost entirely devoid of life plays no role in improving legislation.
Simons: media inquiry can work if politicians keep hands off content
As with so much this government does, there is still plenty of room for messing up on the planned, kind-of-but-not-quite-announced media inquiry.
Ansett 10 years on — myths of the collapse continue
Ten years to the day that Ansett collapsed, some of the myths about one of Australia’s highest-profile corporate collapses persist.
Govt moves to repair the cybercrime bill — but not improve it
The government’s amendments to the controversial cybercrime Bill are in, but they do little to repair it.
Maley: a Greek default in the frame
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tried to calm markets by dismissing speculation about an imminent Greek debt default, writes Karen Maley, of Business Spectator
Dark forces still at work in Aceh, Indonesia
In a couple of weeks, Aceh will hold its second gubernatorial elections since the 2005 peace agreement that ended almost three decades of separatist war.
In naming a priest accused, Xenophon has gone too far
Nick Xenophon’s underlying compassion for the downtrodden and the abused has never seriously been questioned. But in naming a priest accused — without proof — of rape he has gone too far, writes Des Ryan of InDaily.
The Oz playing the Manne: why it’s a barracker and a bully
The Australian is launching a major response to Robert Manne’s Quarterly Essay, and the blurbs tell us that there will be more to come on Saturday, with the usual suspects lining up to respond.
The Power Index: money movers, Mike Smith at #8 with a bullet
When Mike Smith lines you up, he doesn’t miss. The plain-speaking ANZ CEO has a propensity to run his mouth off when things don’t agree with him. Just ask any business editor looking for a quote on a slow news day; he’s not your typical boring banker. He has regularly attacked the country’s much-vaunted four-pillar […]
The quality journalism project: it’s Mega!
George Megalogenis is a popular man, judging by the plethora of nominations we received to have him involved in Crikey’s quality journalism project.
ALR closure shows a literary culture that runs on love, not money
The most striking thing about news of the closure of the Australian Literary Review has been the relative equanimity with which it has been greeted.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The morality of offshore processing
Crikey readers have their say.
Guy Rundle: What drives Guardianistas so crazy about matters Assange?
So you thought the WikiLeaks saga couldn’t get any stranger, more convoluted or more ridiculous in juxtaposing stories of world import with petty absurdity? Think again.
Morning Market Report: Markets up as Europe joins to discuss Greece
The Greek, French and German leaders hold a conference call tonight to discuss Greece’s debt crisis.
The Media Monitors' Top 20: Rudd stays in the leadership spotlight
While most of the other supposed contenders for the top job drifted well down the list this week, one K Rudd stayed well in the top five.
Political snippets: Impact of a profits tax on mining
There’s the spin and then there’s the reality.
Video of the Day: GOP debate: do the uninsured deserve to die?
During this week’s GOP debate Ron Paul was asked whether a man who needs intensive care for six months and doesn’t have health insurance deserves government welfare. The crowd cheered when he answered in the negative then, when the mediator further quizzed him on whether society should let him die, multiple voices yelled “yeah!”.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours
Queensland, Australia merger no easy feat. The merger of Aidan McLindon’s Queensland Party and Bob Katter’s tentatively named Australia Party isn’t as smooth as the protagonists have made out, we’re told. As one spy notes: “The party faithful — those who haven’t jumped ship in the past few days — have pointed out that the party constitution states that […]
Crikey Says: The Oz has a private moment with itself
There is no subject that obsesses The Australian more than the subject of The Australian itself. Today it began an orgy of self-defence to Robert Manne’s Quarterly Essay.
travel 
W H Chong’s Letters from Hanoi: puzzles and riddles
From deep in the heart of Hanoi, Crikey’s culture mulcher W H Chong writes home with a handful of puzzles and riddles.
