#KingstonReports

@Barnaby_Joyce states the case for Labor’s media merger ‘public interest test’: How will the Nats vote?

By Margo Kingston March 17, 2013 The National Party has long opposed further media domination by Rupert Murdoch, as detailed in the two media policy chapters in my book. It fought against John Howard’s weakening of media concentration laws to facilitate Murdoch expansion, and Barnaby Joyce actually crossed the floor in 2006 to vote for his […]

My conversation with a Murdoch press release

By Margo Kingston March 16, 2013 Has anyone seen a piece discussing the REAL effects of media reforms on Murdoch's Australian empire? The freedom of press thing is crap. — margo kingston (@margokingston1) March 15, 2013 .@chriskkenny, what would the effect of Conroy's media proposals be on Murdoch's capacity to expand his Australian media empire? — […]

Citizen journos unite!

By Margo Kingston March 15, 2013 Source: Sheilas Sarah Capper, Sheilas editor: Veteran political journalist and author Margo Kingston is back! And just in the nick of time with an election year upon us. After some time off, Margo returned to writing at the end of last year, spurred into action when she heard Opposition leader […]

Sane analysis and comment on media reform

By Margo Kingston March 15, 2013 In this post we’ve linked to sane analysis and commentary on media reform. We’ve also asked you to nominate a fair, accurate and balanced MSM news story  – the criteria print media groups tell their self-regulation body the Press Council they strive for. If you can bear it, here is Crikey’s wrap […]

@ABCthedrum rat-a-tat talk forgets substance

By Jim Parker March 14, 2013 Source: The Failed Estate @margokingston1 My advice: Don't watch it in the first place — Mr Denmore (@MrDenmore) March 13, 2013 @paulwiggins @mrdenmore First time I've ever watched http://t.co/8G88a38zgu Freaked out by it. So awful. So jokey, who gives a shit. — margo kingston (@margokingston1) March 13, 2013 @margokingston1 […]

The MSM won’t report this, so here’s Gillard and Conroy on media reform

Question Time House of Representatives March 13, 2013 Mr TURNBULL (Wentworth) (14:29): My question is to the Prime Minister. Can she provide the House examples of published content in breach of the standards her government wishes to enforce through the Public Interest Media Advocate? Is the front page of today’s Telegraph such an example? If she […]

Murdoch’s war: 175 generals on song

By Margo Kingston February 19, 2003 Rupert Murdoch is pro-war, and thinks a lower price for oil after Iraq is conquered will be better than a tax cut. After those comments (see Murdoch: Cheap oil the prize), a reader sent me Their master’s voice by Roy Greenslade in The Guardian, which reports that all 175 Murdoch editors around the […]

Howard’s blueprint for Abbott to stifle dissent

By Margo Kingston March 12, 2013 This chapter from Still Not Happy, John! (Pengiun, 2007) is required reading for activists and people in non-government organisations which advocate for change. John Howard’s government systematically sought to stifle democratic dissent with the help of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA). Believe it or not, the Howard government […]

Are journos about truth or reporting what they say?

By Peter Clarke March 11, 2013 Margo: My first journalism job was at The Courier Mail. One day I wrote a story about a disagreement in the Queensland National Liberal Coalition Cabinet about condom vending machines. My first paragraph quoted the then health minister  Mike Ahern. My second said that his statement contradicted another minister, Lyne […]

@ShellyHorton1 on her Trending Tony Tweet

By Margo Kingston March 11, 2013 Shelley Horton (@ShellyHorton1) writes for the party pages of the Sun Herald. ‘I normally tweet about reality TV shows and new clubs,’ she told me today. Last night, she tweeted her personal response to Tony Abbott’s interview on 60 minutes, and to the love story, on a man’s care […]