tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post7916105912398042376..comments2023-12-06T00:23:28.790+11:00Comments on Press gallery reform: The differenceAndrew Elderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-6587888320529740412014-10-05T20:20:48.241+11:002014-10-05T20:20:48.241+11:00I often learn something when I visit here, Andrew....I often learn something when I visit here, Andrew. The story about 18th century British MPs is amusing, and news to me.<br /><br />My only close encounter with Bronwyn Bishop was at a lunch for the Sydney International Piano Competition some years ago. Sitting on one side of her, I was pleasantly surprised to find her quite an agreeable and interested interlocutor, although I abhorred her politics, then as now. My wife, sitting on the other side, however, quickly got into an argument with her and exposed her — Bronwyn's — utter and embarrassing ignorance. We were talking about environmental protection and climate change, as the subject of the Murray-Darling was then in the news, and she said something along the lines of, "I don't know why people get so worked up about water. It goes up and it comes down: always has, always will." It was the sort of compact, simplistic ignorance that is smugly impervious to logic or persuasion, so we probably just quaffed another glass of the sponsor's tipple and moved on to some topic more in keeping with a quaint government house setting...zeznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-88470578782706089412014-10-03T05:48:04.781+10:002014-10-03T05:48:04.781+10:00Bolt on the PM's role in the niqab-under-glass...Bolt on the PM's role in the niqab-under-glass disgrace ...<br />PM knew nuffink. Was not consulted. He didn't like it.<br />Oh yeah!<br />If I remember correctly Peta Credlin from his own office raised initial concerns about burkas which are worn in Kabul not Collins St. <br />If he 'didn't like it' as Bolt suggests, Abbott could have stopped all discussions on the matter there and then.<br />Instead he contributed to the discussion by mumbling his own misgivings.<br />Then Bronwyn Beehive came up with the burka-behind-glass solution.<br />As if she would act alone!<br />As far as I am concerned the only veil which truly concerns me is the shroud of secrecy which conceals the inner workings of government. All we get to see is the puppet show on a rickety stage.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-85086967482628203222014-10-02T16:53:35.245+10:002014-10-02T16:53:35.245+10:00Bullshit. The UK is facing a much bigger threat f...Bullshit. The UK is facing a much bigger threat from returning ISIL veterans than Australia is and it is a big issue over there which you would know if you had just spent a few weeks in UK as I have.<br /><br />bbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-62959133636942988512014-09-29T14:52:51.912+10:002014-09-29T14:52:51.912+10:00Always good to have some colour and movement when ...Always good to have some colour and movement when there is total policy failure to hide: http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/abbott-and-hockeys-debt-and-deficit-disaster,6943<br /><br />And if journalists would rather navel-gaze (even if doing ti quite well), so much the better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-4027555973370090312014-09-29T08:45:23.525+10:002014-09-29T08:45:23.525+10:00She is now with Farfax!She is now with Farfax!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-44194040708946188962014-09-29T08:37:57.619+10:002014-09-29T08:37:57.619+10:00Those journo's working for Rupert have to be t...Those journo's working for Rupert have to be the dumbest, most gormless dorks that ever put pinky to keyboard....of course he will sell them out!..of course!...look how many were dragged up before the beak at the Old Baily and charged or condemned...he even admitted it on a secret recordine to his own staff...the second most humble...and still they go into battle for him!!??..THIIIICK, THIIIICK !..it's a "Stooges" script. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-71436164362693875692014-09-28T14:52:12.428+10:002014-09-28T14:52:12.428+10:00Spot on Andrew, you speak for a large, disaffected...Spot on Andrew, you speak for a large, disaffected lot of us. I took the time to read through the 700+ comments on the Murphy piece and was astounded at the number of people that took the time to express their disgust at the state of the media. A quick check of Twitter found the 'Vapid Response Team' of Devine and Maiden playing the woman, not the ball, as if she didn't even have a point. redsheephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545458605357695308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-71227425065603944262014-09-28T14:15:39.411+10:002014-09-28T14:15:39.411+10:00Yeah..Thanks mate , you know increasingly people l...Yeah..Thanks mate , you know increasingly people like me who are scared by this government and the media , are looking to people like you as a voice that gives us hope that there are actually people out there who can write that are willing to tell the truth.<br />Its interesting because I would have though that some young crazy up and coming journalist could see the opportunity here to make a name for them selves. By going against the grain and sticking out as one of the fearless good guys,I don't know take your pick lets say John Peter Zenger would be a good inspiration.I guess the problem is not with brave journalists but media outlets willing to publish them..Murdoch I swear he is the root cause of most of the evil on this planet - One can only hope we are relieved of him by the cold and vicious hands of the stock market, I doubt it though. Hes likely to make the ton isn't that always the way .<br />The whole notion of journalism in this country has been redefined or basically claimed by Murdoch and the other oligarchs. I understood that journalism was supposed to be the line in the sand , like a fairs fair type thought, and the ethical stance for good journalism was the truth in the same way a scientist is always looking for the truth otherwise its not science or journalism its something else it cant be called either , and then what is the point of it, if not the truth .I'm worried , because I never thought I would let the likes of brandis or abbott scare me , but the situation has turned rouge .There seems to be no accountability whatsoever , not a scrap - their locking privacy laws in for 25 years at a stretch .Its bad ,Its corrupt and the media are sticking up for the bad guys....<br />Its interesting because I would have though that's some young crazy journalist could see the possible opportunity here to make a name for them selves by going against the grain and sticking out as one of the fearless good guys,I dont take your pick lets say John Peter Zenger.<br />I guess the whole notion of journalism in this country has been redefined or basically claimed by Murdoch and the likes , was supposed to be the line in the sand and the ethically stance for good jouranlism was the truth like a scientist who is always loking for the truth otherwise its not science or journalism its something else it cant be called either .I'm worried mate I never thought i d let the likes of brandis or abbott scare me , but the situation has turned rouge there seems to be no accountability their locking privacy laws in for 25 years at a stretch .Its bad .Its corrupt the list and the media are sticking up for the bad guys..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-72453666743654686732014-09-28T13:25:53.182+10:002014-09-28T13:25:53.182+10:00I thought she was a Fairfax shill these days? I thought she was a Fairfax shill these days? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-42701618796655423922014-09-28T10:44:26.961+10:002014-09-28T10:44:26.961+10:00On the money as usual Andrew, but " ripping a...On the money as usual Andrew, but " ripping a press release off the telex"? You must have been out of mainstream journalism longer than I have!Dannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-62724735201853159962014-09-28T08:03:06.584+10:002014-09-28T08:03:06.584+10:00The only reason Katharine Murphy is upset is becau...The only reason Katharine Murphy is upset is because now the Tinpotter and his nutocracy may affect the operation of the journalists' insatiable appetite for the "grabber" stories. The MSM did not want a Government doing the competent, mundane work of considered governance with due diligence; they were far more enthralled by the stuntman. For years the MSM promulgated the divisions in the ALP and allowed the divisive Tony Abbott free rein. Even now where is Murphy's condemnation of the Government for putting up this legislation? She excuses the Government with her line: "If we are asking the state to be accountable and not abuse its power and position, then best we hold ourselves to the same standard. "<br /><br />The MSM are now suddenly concerned about a divisive Australia, which they actively fostered by allowing the Coalition's Boataphobia and Islamophobia free publicity. Did it ever occur to the Press that perhaps the Egyptian Government ignored the Abbott Government's appeals on Peter Greste's behalf, because the Coalition's "convicted Egyptian Jihadist" jibes may have been noted by the Egyptians? With all the hundreds of asylum seekers who arrived under Rudd and Gillard, was there any terror attack? Only under Abbott is there the increased danger of terror attack because he is talking up confrontation.<br /><br />When the ALP attempted to rein in the Murdoch media's manic monopoly and attempts to undermine the democratic process, the MSM screamed blue murder, yet now they expect the public to defend them. Murphy has the hide to accuse the public of being passive, when journalists have been completely passive in accepting every utterance from the vacuous and vindictive Tony Abbott.<br /><br />As both Opposition Leader and PM Tony Abbott has treated journalists with arrogance, rudeness and disdain by refusing to answer questions and what has the MSM done? Nothing. So having done nothing themeselves, they now blame the public for doing nothing. What would be the point of protest by the public? The government and opposition would ignore it and the MSM would probably not report it. VoterBentleighnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-85056826579920846232014-09-27T23:45:24.910+10:002014-09-27T23:45:24.910+10:00Even Laurie Oakes in today's Telegraph has wri...Even Laurie Oakes in today's Telegraph has written on this subjectAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-15810976046122878642014-09-27T23:42:25.650+10:002014-09-27T23:42:25.650+10:00Even Laurie Oakes in today's TELEGRAPH, is wor...Even Laurie Oakes in today's TELEGRAPH, is worth reading on this subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-84088101364452986832014-09-27T22:02:14.407+10:002014-09-27T22:02:14.407+10:00It's now more than 12 years since I started wr...It's now more than 12 years since I started writing for Margo Kingston on Webdiary about exactly this crap media we have.<br /><br />Kate McClymont is a stenographer held up as one of our best but she did over Thomson on the word of the biggest union thief of all and had to pulp a book on ICAC because she got it wrong.<br /><br />The rest of them I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire, Useless, lazy, racist for the main and just stupid in general.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-65803204416698786982014-09-27T21:58:33.185+10:002014-09-27T21:58:33.185+10:00I asked the silly woman last year if the governmen...I asked the silly woman last year if the government had found a policy yet and she thought I was being facetious, has prattled rubbish ever since.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-81142371881821050432014-09-27T12:45:01.727+10:002014-09-27T12:45:01.727+10:00I checked the Australian's editorial today to ...I checked the Australian's editorial today to see if there was a pontification on a free, unshackled media but what did I find? A diatribe about the Gillard memoirs. <br /><br />Generally though journalists again failed to see what was before their very eyes.<br /><br />What next I wonder? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-17669569859359863742014-09-27T12:01:51.751+10:002014-09-27T12:01:51.751+10:00There are no fearless journalists in the press gal...There are no fearless journalists in the press gallery, just sad little drop seekers, ...otherwise known as stenographers, those who take dictation and publish.Taracumbinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-35794988827366243212014-09-27T11:37:14.073+10:002014-09-27T11:37:14.073+10:00"Any journalist who thinks I simply have some..."Any journalist who thinks I simply have some inexplicable hatred of the MSM is free to just piss off, and probably will when the next rounds of sackings come through."<br /><br />Unfortunately probably not, judging by previous rounds of sackings the overpaid crap journalists either keep their jobs or bob up elsewhere to spew the same crap.<br />The sackings seem to hit hardest at the jobs like subeditors (who don't really cost that much) further depleting what levels exist of fact checking and quality control.JBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-70035952242416395752014-09-27T10:21:07.223+10:002014-09-27T10:21:07.223+10:00Credit where credits due. I hope she sees your art...Credit where credits due. I hope she sees your article and feels the warm glow inside of someone that's just passed a hard test.<br /><br />It's no surprise were being marched off to bash Muslims, you can't realise how close the economy is to collapse with your busy hating.<br />On every economic indicator signs of imminent collapse are there: stagnate wages and job growth, contracted spending on capital, housing bubbles egged on by all side of the political class and propped up with lubicrisely generous tax breaks for rich investors. <br /><br />We won't mention the brewing generational war that the latest budget does nothing but fan. Don't mention the war...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-1286730888876399532014-09-27T10:05:27.875+10:002014-09-27T10:05:27.875+10:00When the cuts to the ABC happen, you can bet Latik...When the cuts to the ABC happen, you can bet Latika will remain.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-2794418996683541512014-09-27T09:52:22.178+10:002014-09-27T09:52:22.178+10:00Latika spent a breathless 2 days rabbiting on abou...Latika spent a breathless 2 days rabbiting on about what Clive Palmer may or may not have said about Jacqui Lambie in a bar while our country commits itself to another war.<br />I weep sometimes.http://www.thesocialshuttle.com/https://www.blogger.com/profile/08385625594884495221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-78308538069289722692014-09-27T09:36:09.616+10:002014-09-27T09:36:09.616+10:00Jesus. Latika Bourke. As someone else said recentl...Jesus. Latika Bourke. As someone else said recently she is a 'useful idiot' for the Libs, popping up at just the right time to either directly parrot their line or breathlessly passing on light weight tittle tattle designed to indirectly push the Libs agenda. 'Leadershit' used to be her thing but now it seems to be stirring trouble between Palmer and Lambie. <br /><br />Lambie is a stupid racist who has found her way into power but who does a schism in the PUP help the most?<br /><br />Of course our media loves all of this as this serves for news in this country. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-65362879583494581182014-09-27T07:36:06.350+10:002014-09-27T07:36:06.350+10:00Thanks Andrew. The authoritarian nature of Abbott,...Thanks Andrew. The authoritarian nature of Abbott, Brandis & co, also exposes the true nature of "libertarians" like the Eye Pea Aye and Tim the freedom Wilson, who are still crying loudly for the rights of racists even as meaningful freedoms are being traded away in ParliamentAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13467071669624321286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-68370395353591864692014-09-27T07:33:19.440+10:002014-09-27T07:33:19.440+10:00Just a minor point Andrew - in paragraph 3: "...Just a minor point Andrew - in paragraph 3: "it represents an internal threat as much as an internal one." One of those should be 'external' shouldn't it?<br /><br />Other than that, you're spot on as usual.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-8883055572380525172014-09-27T01:47:45.703+10:002014-09-27T01:47:45.703+10:00Must change? How?Must change? How?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com