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frumpleton's review
4.0
A series of case studies from Robert Manne looking at instances where News Limited's incredible 70% ownership of media in this country (since risen) has affected the political discussion and the papers ridiculous campaigns against individuals standing up against The Australian, or the Left generally, or its especially incendiary campaign against The Greens, climate change, the cheerleading to invade Iraq, whitewashing the Stolen Generation and genocide of Indigenous Australians, News Limited's treatment of Kevin Rudd's first government, and the strong-arm style of the newspapers to flood their pages with articles written by attack-dog journalists on the say-so of partisan as hell editor-in-chief, Chris Mitchell, who believed the paper bizarrely to be the victim in every case, despite the incredible reach and influence.
Manne makes an optimistic case for the future of media discourse in this country with the Greens controlled Senate and Labor controlled Lower House at the time of writing, 2011, but we all know how this ended. Manne hoped for the politicians to try to blunt some of The Australian's ridiculous and unaccountable influence as a political player, and they attempted to with a reform of media laws in 2013, that failed after another campaign from Murdoch. Fairfax papers, nor the ABC, did not hold the zealous bullying of News Limited to account, the carbon tax, long thought to be one of the biggest progressive policy combating climate change, was rolled back, and the Labor/Greens alliance in the hung parliament fell apart in the 2013 election. Since then under both Abbott and Turnbull, News Limited has regained its momentum and influence in this country to be almost unquestionable in its discourse.
Manne makes an optimistic case for the future of media discourse in this country with the Greens controlled Senate and Labor controlled Lower House at the time of writing, 2011, but we all know how this ended. Manne hoped for the politicians to try to blunt some of The Australian's ridiculous and unaccountable influence as a political player, and they attempted to with a reform of media laws in 2013, that failed after another campaign from Murdoch. Fairfax papers, nor the ABC, did not hold the zealous bullying of News Limited to account, the carbon tax, long thought to be one of the biggest progressive policy combating climate change, was rolled back, and the Labor/Greens alliance in the hung parliament fell apart in the 2013 election. Since then under both Abbott and Turnbull, News Limited has regained its momentum and influence in this country to be almost unquestionable in its discourse.
purlgully's review against another edition
5.0
No one is going to read an article by Robert Manne especially one about The Australian and be on the fence. Manne is a polarizing figure. And cards on the table I'm a fan of his so take what I say for what its worth.
I think he makes excellent points about The Oz's growing political activism. He doesn't have a problem with it being a conservative paper per se, more with it trying (and succeeding) to shape the debate rather than report the debate. As Australia's only national daily newspaper it would be better if it remained more neutral.
Aside from my opinion think Manne does a great job of using data to back up his arguments. If you want to hear more about his process he was interviewed on Late Night Live. Of course if you think Manne I a lefty fascist ideologue you probably won't want to listen to him talk to Phillip Adams.
I think he makes excellent points about The Oz's growing political activism. He doesn't have a problem with it being a conservative paper per se, more with it trying (and succeeding) to shape the debate rather than report the debate. As Australia's only national daily newspaper it would be better if it remained more neutral.
Aside from my opinion think Manne does a great job of using data to back up his arguments. If you want to hear more about his process he was interviewed on Late Night Live. Of course if you think Manne I a lefty fascist ideologue you probably won't want to listen to him talk to Phillip Adams.
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