Rupert Murdoch, it’s said, believes putting animals on the front page sell more papers. Grieving animals? You can take that to the bank.
Articles by Jason Whittaker 
About Jason Whittaker
Jason Whittaker joined the Crikey crew as deputy editor in February 2010. Previously he spent almost six years editing business publications you’ve never heard of for a division of ACP Magazines out of Brisbane. He used to blog, review theatre and freelance for a bunch of people, too, since the Queensland University of Technology gave him a degree in journalism. He doesn’t like coffee, remarkably.
Email: JWhittaker@crikey.com.au
Skype: jasonawhittaker
Twitter: @thetowncrier
Phone: 03 8623 9900
Roads, rates, rubbish … foreign policy? Recreating local government
Local government is about more than roads, rates and rubbish. But it’s not about international diplomacy, one Sydney mayor and president of the local government alliance insists. So what good is a new-age council?
Essential: forget the surplus, voters say, and save us from cuts
Most voters would rather the federal government delay its back to black strategy and extend the deficit to stave off service cuts and tax hikes.
Radiation fears drive journos out of Japan, others vow to stay
Australian journalists are abandoning field coverage of the earthquake and tsunami devastation and flying out of Japan, as radiation fears from quake-hit nuclear reactors worsen.
How a sacked Seven reporter found himself in Charlie Sheen’s bathroom
It was the tell-all celebrity interview everyone wanted. So how did Australian gossip hack Dylan Howard, sacked from local television before launching a glittering online gossip career in Hollywood, get the global scoop? Jason Whittaker and Tom Cowie explain.
Daily Proposition: See opera up close, for less
You lose something watching opera in a cinema. But for a fraction of the cost you can watch the world’s best opera performances — while eating popcorn.
Wankley Awards: And the Wankley goes to… viral ads, and the 7.30 whispering campaign
The 7.30 chant is becoming a roar. But not enough to drown out the viral marketing campaign stuff-up as the winner of this week’s Wankley Award.
Editors would know if journos were hacking phones: News Ltd editor
New allegations have emerged on just how insidious phone tapping was at the News of the World, as one of News Limited’s senior Australian lieutenants suggests editors should have known the practice was going on.
Egyptians online and on the streets, but a US ally stands firm
“This is the beginning of an uprising,” Mohamed ElBaradei reportedly told Al Jazerra yesterday. ElBaradei has been dubbed Egypt’s “reluctant revolutionary” and is viewed as the man who could help topple an oppressive regime.
Essential: why we love to shop online (and reject paying GST)
The vast majority of Australians reject moves by the big retailers to apply GST to online purchases, not surprisingly, with new Essential Research polling revealing how ingrained online shopping has become for consumers.
Who’s aspirational now? Williamson’s Party as vapid as the times
David Williamson got to his feet at the premiere of Don Parties On to be applauded, a polite if halfhearted acknowledgement. He smiled contentedly. Williamson is nothing but content. Blithely, indolently content, writes Jason Whittaker.
Wankley Awards: And the Gold Wankley for worst media stunt of the year goes to …
The 2010 Crikey Wankley Awards offer a roll-call of the worst of the worst in Australian media — the beat-ups and bust-ups; a who’s who of shameless spinners, choleric columnists and starry-eyed, scandal-seeking gutter rats. But who’s the ultimate winner?
Essential: voters support WikiLeaks and Assange, attack Gillard’s stance
Most Australians support the release of the WikiLeaks diplomatic cables, say Julian Assange should receive legal support and are critical of the federal government’s rhetoric on the issue, new polling reveals.
ABC back to the drawing board on foreign bureaux
The ABC will go back to the drawing board on its controversial changes to foreign reporting postings, with a deal to share facilities with the TV arm of Associated Press falling over.
Opera float: national company looks for new harbour-side fans
It will be opera watered down, quite literally. Imagine 3000-odd people watching a Verdi masterpiece floating on the most photographed harbour in the world.
Life after Kerry: Sales, Uhlmann could front revamped 7.30
Leigh Sales and Chris Uhlmann could both front a revamped 7:30 Report next year as the ABC’s flagship news program continues to furiously plan for life after Kerry O’Brien. Jason Whittaker and Cat Wall report.
Daily Proposition: It’s pop music, with depth
Lior has perfected his brand of smart pop: folksy hooks layered over lush arrangements, infused with Middle Eastern influences, or pared back to show off a stunning, sinewy voice. His new album is his most mature.
ABC foreign affairs: cuts to support staff fuel News 24 resentment
The ABC is attempting to hose down anger over mooted changes to foreign reporting bureaus, but staff are deeply sceptical about sharing resources with a commercial news organisation and fewer opportunities for original field reporting.
Shonky products and shonky ploys: our worst of the worst
Check out the shonkiest products and ploys in the shops, with consumer watchdog Choice naming its annual worst-of-the-worst awards in Sydney this afternoon. The Commonwealth Bank, Coles, Nurofen and LG have all been named and shamed for ripping off consumers.
The show Broadway rejected: Vic government resurrects the Phantom
Love never dies. Nor, apparently, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thirst for greater fortune.
George Negus quits SBS for news at Ten
BREAKING NEWS: George Negus is heading back to commercial television, quitting SBS to spearhead Channel Ten’s revamped news line-up.
Daily Proposition: See two of the greatest American plays
For the next week, Sydney theatre audiences can see perhaps the finest American play of the past decade and one of the greatest American plays of the past century in repertory. Don’t miss August: Osage County and Our Town.
Gillard thanked us for being fair and balanced: The Oz editor
The Australian editor-in-chief Chris Mitchell claims Julia Gillard praised the paper’s “fair and balanced coverage”, dismissing renewed criticism from Bob Brown and press gallery veterans over its editorial agenda.
Snubs and surprises at the Helpmanns … so what’s the scandal?
That’s the Helpmann Awards for you — a bit all over the place, really; a grossly subjective and geographically-challenged absurdity to decide the best of the best on stages across the country.
Smoking kills, says big tobacco on hacked plain packaging campaign site
Retailers and big tobacco have ended their campaign against plain cigarette packaging, according to the campaign’s website. Looks like it’s been hacked, writes Jason Whittaker.
