Like Jeff Goldblum before her, reports of Charlie’s Angels star Jaclyn Smith’s death have been greatly exaggerated. On Twitter. Then mindlessly regurgitated by Australian entertainment reporters.
Articles by Sophie Black 
Crikey Clarifier: Penny Wong’s climate change ‘compromise’
As the do-or-die climate change meeting in Copenhagen looms, Penny Wong and Kevin Rudd marched to New York today with their new plan to bring developing countries to the table. But how would it work?
Wankley Awards: The media on Dennis Ferguson
The media fell over themselves this week to cover the case of convicted pedophile Dennis Ferguson, with any serious reporting drowned out by talking heads across the nation echoing the same phrase over and over: “as a parent …”
Walker’s departure sends Fairfax shares up
Fairfax shares rose 4.2% this morning off the back of the story in The Financial Review reporting that Chairman Ron Walker will step down in August next year.
Former detainees tell: how it feels to have $260k debt slashed
Crikey asked some refugees what the passage of the detention debt abolition bill means to them.
“Hi, I don’t usually reply, but …” Women weigh in to Crikey
Last week we asked, why don’t women read Crikey? We’ve had a truckload of responses, and at the heart of this is a discussion about, well, the nature of discussion.
Crikey seeks women: for conversation, companionship and fun times
Crikey wants to pull more chicks: tell us how.
Wankley Awards: And the Wankley goes to … ACA and The Hun
It’s an embarrassment of riches down here at the Department of Wankley Deliberation this morning.
Wankley Awards: Vile Kyle and tacky Jackie
And the Wankley goes to … do we even need to write it? Everyone involved in green lighting the idea of strapping a child to a lie detector to interrogate her about her sexual experiences, live on air.
Kyle and Jackie O’s live lie detector test goes very wrong
A 14-year-old girl disclosed live on air this morning that she was raped at the age of 12, during 2Day FM’s Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show.
Calling Tehran: Protestors await call to take to the streets again
As reports surface of Mousavi’s renewed calls to protest, Sophie Black touched base with the anonymous Iranian refugee who speaks to his brother in Tehran on a regular basis.
No fairy floss, no show, for NT kids under income management
Thousands of Aboriginal Territorians, half of whose income is controlled through income quarantining and management, won’t be able to access money through their Basic Cards to get into the Royal Darwin Show this week.
The pain of childbirth is ‘valuable’. So suck it up
So the pain that comes from pushing something the size of a watermelon out of something the size of a lemon is “valuable.” Say what? asks Sophie Black.
Crikey Clarifier: Crikey Clarifier: phone tapping
Following the News of the World phone-tapping controversy in the UK, Crikey questioned Private Investigator Warren Mallard on just how common phone tapping is, and how it’s done.
Eyewitness risks his life to tell Tehran’s stories
Crikey has been put in touch with an Iranian refugee who now has permanent residency in Australia. One of his brothers lives and works in Tehran, staying in touch with phone calls.
Private contractor Serco to run detention centres
Today, UK services company Serco’s Australian subsidiary, Serco Australia, begins to phase in its control over seven detention centres.
95 kids on Christmas Island and counting
As another 194 asylum seekers head to Christmas Island for health and security checks, concerns are being raised about the number of children already there.
Kevin Rudd — commercial TV everyman and regular Twit
Following Kevin Rudd on Twitter is compelling and cringey all at the same time.
Former detainee: debt a reminder of trauma and tragedy
As the detention debt bill continues to be debated in the House, a former detainee tells Sophie Black what an outstanding debt of $161,000 means to them.
Coalition splits on abolishing detainees’ debts
Many former detainees are taking a great interest in the Migration Amendment (Abolishing Detention Debt) Bill 2009 that’s currently being debated in the Lower House.
Mirabella’s man had a past before the ball
Never mind the groping, Sophie Mirabella’s now ex-advisor Anthony Scrinis was showing signs of being a little, well, off balance, well before the Mid-Winter Ball.
Goodbye John ‘fuckability’ Westacott
As he snaps on his gold watch, the eulogies for John Westacott keep pouring into Crikey.
Farewell Constance E Little, prolific letter writer
If Constance E Little stuck around today, she’d have a blog. That’s why Crikey is honouring her with a new column, says Sophie Black.
Wankley Awards: Chris Mitchell’s climate change award
Most editors would beg an oil and energy lobby group to take their trophy back. Not Chris Mitchell.
Putting the Ruddock back into shadow immigration?
An email exchange about former Philip Ruddock chief of staff Ann Duffield, who is now working for Shadow Immigration minister Sharman Stone, makes for revealing reading.
