Matthew Ricketson

I am an academic and journalist. Presently the professor of communication at Deakin University, I was previously inaugural journalism professor at the University of Canberra between 2009 and 2017. I have also run the journalism program at RMIT for 11 years. I have worked on staff at The Australian and Time Australia magazine: my last job in the news media industry was Media and Communications Editor at The Age. I have written four books and edited three.

Recent articles by Matthew Ricketson

Journos as heroes and villains - 'The Hack' reviewed - Part 2

Journos as heroes and villains - 'The Hack' reviewed - Part 2

The Hack is rare among films and television programs for showing journalists doing journalism to other journalists.

Journos as heroes and villains - 'The Hack' reviewed - Part 1

Journos as heroes and villains - 'The Hack' reviewed - Part 1

In films and on the small screen, journalists are portrayed as heroes or villains. In The Hack they are both. Does this reflect the diminished, benighted standing journalists hold in society today or is it a step forward in showing the complexities of the work?

Murdoch resolves succession drama – a win for Lachlan, a loss for public interest journalism

Murdoch resolves succession drama – a win for Lachlan, a loss for public interest journalism

Rupert Murdoch has succeeded in securing his vision for the future of News Corporation, the global media empire he has always thought of as his family business.

Biden’s advisers hid his decline – and the media didn’t dig hard enough

Biden’s advisers hid his decline – and the media didn’t dig hard enough

Last week, President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into “who ran the United States while President Biden was in office”, alleging top aides masked the “cognitive decline” of his predecessor. The announcement referenced revelations in a new book by journalists Jake Tapper (CNN) and Alex Thompson (Axios).

Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros

Murdoch to Musk: how global media power has shifted from the moguls to the big tech bros

Until recently, Elon Musk was just a wildly successful electric car tycoon and space pioneer. Sure, he was erratic and outspoken, but his global influence was contained and seemingly under control.

The first biography of Lachlan Murdoch provides some insights, but leaves important questions unanswered

The first biography of Lachlan Murdoch provides some insights, but leaves important questions unanswered

The title of Paddy Manning’s The Successor: The High-Stakes Life of Lachlan Murdoch tells us what is good and not so good about this biography.