Craig Thomson | Crikey

JOHN CHALMERS |

Sentia Media index: do or die on leadership spill

The media love to talk about themselves and were breathless on Labor’s proposed media reforms. But audiences gave a big shrug, more interested in a new Pope.

CRIKEY INTERN | FEDERAL|

Media reform: how the House crossbenchers will vote

Bandt, Slipper, Windsor, Katter, Oakeshott, Thomson, Crook: they all stand in the way of Stephen Conroy’s media reforms. So how will they vote? Crikey intern Carrington Clarke asked them.

CRIKEY CALLING|

Crikey Calling #8: Abbott’s Top End tax plan and Labor’s NSW woes

On Crikey Calling, Jason Whittaker and Bernard Keane finally get to talk some new Coalition policy. Plus, all the latest for an embattled Labor as the Eddie Obeid and Craig Thomson scandals drag on.

Media briefs: Meet The Press shift … 149 or 150? … Hurricane Helen …

Longer, softer Meet The Press. The creeping takeover of the Ten Network by the Murdoch media empire continues. Not content to have an increasing proportion of its prime-time schedule in the hands of Shine and Fox — both controlled by News — Ten plans to outsource an expanded Meet The Press to News Limited. While Ten will have “editorial […]

ANDREW CROOK | AUSTRALIA|

Craig Thomson isn’t going anywhere — innocent or guilty

Craig Thomson faces 150 fraud charges after being arrested today. But the ex-Labor MP will stay in Parliament for the duration of the trial — at least until he’s dumped at the election.

ANDREW CROOK | AUSTRALIA|

Craig Thomson’s home raid and what it means for Labor

The link between this morning’s raid on Craig Thomson’s family’s house and the fall of the Gillard government remains a tenuous one. There are plenty of hoops first.

CRIKEY INTERN | FEDERAL|

Craig Thomson’s legal bill mounts, clock ticks on case

Craig Thomson faces an enormous legal bill to defend allegations around his time at the Health Services Union. Crikey intern Nicholas McCallum speaks to a legal eagle about the case.

Sentia Media index: Abbott raises the roof

In a week when news beat entertainment programming in the ratings there was significant competition for most media mentions, writes Sentia Media’s John Chalmers.

ANDREW CROOK | FEDERAL|

Dobell locals mull Labor successor as Craig Thomson heads to court

As Craig Thomson faces a civil claim by Fair Work Australia, Labor will wait to finger a replacement candidate for his NSW electorate. But whoever wins ALP pre-selection will face a tough contest against the Liberals at the federal election.

MATTHEW KNOTT | AUSTRALIA|

Prostitute’s TV tug-of-war inspires MP regulation threats

Labor MPs are calling for tougher media regulation and new privacy laws after revelations that Channel Nine aired an ex-prostitute’s claims against Craig Thomson even though she had recanted her story.

BERNARD KEANE | AUSTRALIA|

Essential: Thomson affair, and who really benefited from reform?

No one has come out of the Thomson affair well, least of all the government and Thomson himself. And voters don’t believe they’ve got the most benefit from economic reform.

TV & RADIO|

ACA back away from controversial Thomson prostitute interview

Channel Nine has sensationally backed away from airing its controversial A Current Affair interview of a former prostitute who claimed to have had sex with Craig Thomson seven years ago, writes Chris Seage.

Dear Mr Hywood … ABC slams Sky News …

In today’s Media Briefs: a letter to Mr Hywood … mistake of the day … the Facebook journalism bubble … Four Corners accesses Rinehart court papers and more …

BERNARD KEANE | FEDERAL|

Run, Abbott, run! Tony sacrifices dignity in House of Reps escape attempt

The spectacle of Tony Abbott attempting to flee the House of Representatives chamber this morning adds a particularly undignified note to the farce which the Craig Thomson affair has become.

An opportunity to change the country for the better

Crikey readers have their say.

ANDREW CROOK | AUSTRALIA|

ProbeWatch: 16 HSU investigations and counting

At a hastily convened presser last week, Craig Thomson made the observation that the amount of simultaneous investigations into his credit card usage could be getting a bit out of hand. No kidding.

Far from a rotten government

Crikey readers have heir say.

FEDERAL|

Brothel baron on Thomson: ‘I think it’s bullshit’

Sydney’s brothel barons have cast serious doubt on the integrity of the former prostitute claiming to have had sex with Craig Thomson, writes Chris Seage, owner of Brothel Busters and a former consultant to the NSW sex industry.

Thomson undefameable? … Reith to Go Back …

In today’s Media Briefs: is Craig Thomson now undefameable? … Front Page of the Day … The memo that ties Hunto To mUrdcoh’s BSkyB bid … Crikey publisher accepted into Press Council and more …

It’s just not worth it, Craig

Craig Thomson is right about one thing: A Current Affair’s pursuit of a prostitute who claims she slept with the embattled MP seven years ago is most certainly “gutter journalism”.

Guardian review … Leveson latest … C-Mail police probe …

In today’s Media Briefs: typo of the day … Front Page of the Day … Jeremy Paxman says Piers Morgan told him how to hack a phone … Police probe complaint against Courier-Mail and more …

RICHARD FARMER |

Will Gillard do a Downer?

Labor members will soon be imploring Julia Gillard to do what could best be described as an Alexander Downer.

What a toxic media environment Australia has

Crikey readers have their say.

CRIKEY INTERN | FEDERAL|

Thomson could face jail if found in contempt (and he wouldn’t be the first)

The House of Representatives has the power to imprison for up to six months an individual found to be in contempt of Parliament by the privileges committee, and it’s a punishment they’ve doled out before, reports Scott Barnes.