The relentless, farcical coverage of the “Balloon Boy” non-story by the likes of CNN and Sky shows everything that’s wrong with 24-hour news networks: too much airtime and nothing to fill it.
Sky News
Oakes and Seven scuttle Nine’s Canberra merger plan
An audacious attempt by the Nine network to close its Parliament House bureau in Canberra and merge it with the Seven network operation has failed, once Laurie Oakes found out the secret plans.
Wankley Awards: Daryl Somers
Daryl Somers wins this week’s coveted Wankley Award, for not letting a bit of blackface controversy get in the way of crowing about Hey Hey It’s Wednesday’s stellar ratings.
ABC’s 24-hour news dream drives penny-pinching
The ABC has been quietly conducting a year-long secret review of the way it staffs and positions its network of more than a dozen foreign correspondents, with at least two bureaus expected to close.
John Gatfield slags Sky
Sacked Sky News presenter John Gatfield takes a swipe at the channel on the Media Spy forums.
Political snippets: When is news, news?
Richard Farmer questions Sky News’ decision to report on the Christmas Island detention centre’s Christmas dinner, and Joe Hockey is looking for a miracle worker.
Who is the minister some bits of Fairfax refuse to name?
It seems different arms of the Fairfax Media empire are more circumspect than others when it comes to outing Victorian state government ministers, writes Andrew Crook.
Mark Scott, Pay TV and Rudd’s public affairs channel
It must be grim to watch the PM give the opposition a hand when they pinch your best ideas, writes Margaret Simons.
Murdoch empire shaken by global financial crisis
A decision is expected tonight our time on whether Rupert Murdoch’s 38% associate, BSkyB, will have to sell its 17.9% blocking stake in US terrestrial commercial TV group, ITV, writes Glenn Dyer.
Media briefs and TV ratings: Satin watch, nice alcopop placement, WA Today
Satin watch … nice alcopop placement … WA Today name of new Fairfax venture? … Melbourne and Adelaide heart Ramsay
Anzac Day and the ABC: let’s join the dots
There has been a minor kerfuffle today about the ABC and its Anzac Day coverage. What went on?
Richard Farmer’s political bite-sized meaty chunks
Meaty snippets from the home of government plus the daily reality check and the pick of other people’s political coverage. Richard Farmer writes.
Wayne Swan needs to learn the art of assertiveness
Wayne Swan, the man in the second most important job in government appears to have a weak grip on his portfolio – or at least is too nervy to give a good fist of explaining his government’s plans and policy positions, writes Christian Kerr.
Corey Delaney, Party Liaison: “get me to do it for you”
Bindi and Shane got a Penthouse cover and a fight with Ray Martin, Corey, with just the aid of a bare torso and a set of monosyllabic grunts, has a career in the making, writes Sophie Black.
Media has a baby as Nicole Kidman reveals spermination
Far be it from Crikey to ignore yesterday’s second top news story, one that almost threatened to drown out the cricket palava: Our Nic is up the duff. Here’s how the story that stopped a nation unfolded.
Fox Business Channel gets ready for lift-off
It’s all hands to the panic stations at Sky News and at The Australian as the launch date for the Australian version of the Fox Business Channel approaches, writes Glenn Dyer.
ALP launch: First reactions from the media
What the papers are saying straight off the bat…
Richard Farmer: Rudd turns the tables on election spending
The prospect of a Government promising to outspend an Opposition makes this election campaign rare indeed, writes Richard Farmer.
Climate change in the marginals: the hot issue
As a handy reference point for today’s Environment portfolio smackdown which is now airing on Sky News, Crikey thought it appropriate to publish the Climate Institute’s latest polling on how important the environment issue is to voters in the all important marginals.
When is a news site not a news site?
When is a news site not a news site, and when is it propaganda? In these days of blurry lines, journalists need to be careful, writes Margaret Simons.
Campaign lite
Rudd’s a sneaky bunny. Quote of the Day. Small man syndrome. The “spasm”. Out of the ears of babes.
The poll that matters: rating the great debate
Just under 3 million people watched the leaders’ debate last night, with 60 Minutes and the worm scoring the biggest audience, writes Glenn Dyer.
