China – A country on the move
Edward Down

China – A country on the move

I have just returned from a four-week holiday in China, my first visit ever. Wow!

Recent articles in Media

Fundraising June 2025
John Menadue

Fundraising June 2025

Thank you for supporting Pearls and Irritations.

Whether due to indifference or disinterest, the media colludes with Gaza genocide
Margaret Reynolds,  Stuart Rees

Whether due to indifference or disinterest, the media colludes with Gaza genocide

Clearly, the Australian media has little interest in reporting on any local reaction to the catastrophe in Gaza.

Australia still doing little as the Gaza genocide gets worse
Greg Barns

Australia still doing little as the Gaza genocide gets worse

Australia doesn’t mind imposing sanctions on nations or groups it regards as being deserving of punishment for their nefarious activities, Russia, Iran and Zimbabwe to name a few.

Dee Madigan and the art of the possible: Branding progress or boxing it in?
Stewart Sweeney

Dee Madigan and the art of the possible: Branding progress or boxing it in?

In the pantheon of contemporary Australian political strategists, few have the profile — or the punch — of Dee Madigan.

It’s time for Albo to lead in new directions
Margaret Reynolds

It’s time for Albo to lead in new directions

Anthony Albanese is coming under pressure from different sections of society to change his approach to governing and also being criticised about the lack of imagination in his approach to foreign affairs.

False balance persists in ABC Palestine coverage
Richard Bean

False balance persists in ABC Palestine coverage

In December 2024, I presented an analysis of more than 450 interviews concerning Palestine and Israel on ABC Radio National Breakfast, since 7 October 2023. During this period, the host was Patricia Karvelas. Her last show was on Friday, 13 December.

Even once reluctant scholars now agree on Israel's Gaza assault: It's a genocide
Julia Conley

Even once reluctant scholars now agree on Israel's Gaza assault: It's a genocide

Can I name someone whose work I respect who doesn't consider it genocide? said one researcher. No.

Radio New Zealand’s report on its Israel-Gaza coverage is not credible
Jeremy Rose,  Eugene Doyle,  Ramon Das

Radio New Zealand’s report on its Israel-Gaza coverage is not credible

Radio New Zealand’s decision to conduct a review of its Israel-Palestine coverage post-7 October 2023 is commendable.

Accountability and war reporting
David Robie

Accountability and war reporting

Most reporting of Western wars and conflict — as with current reporting of Palestine and early reporting of Vietnam 50 years ago — is missing context and interpretation.

Fear, censorship and repression are keeping Israelis in the dark about Gaza
Haaretz Editorial

Fear, censorship and repression are keeping Israelis in the dark about Gaza

The public's indifference to what Israel is doing in the Gaza Strip is not just the result of a lack of care, but the result of the war Israel is waging against the possibility of knowing.

Multiple Western press outlets have suddenly pivoted hard against Israel
Caitlin Johnstone

Multiple Western press outlets have suddenly pivoted hard against Israel

After a year and a half of genocidal atrocities, the editorial boards of numerous British press outlets have suddenly come out hard against Israel’s genocidal onslaught in Gaza.

An open letter to The Greens
Sawsan Madina

An open letter to The Greens

On election night, I sat glued to the TV, hanging on Antony Green's every word. All I wanted was the defeat of the Liberals and huge gains for the Greens.



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