2025 in Review: Bullies and sycophants, cowardice on high, courage from below
A year defined by bullying power politics, media cowardice and moral failure – alongside rare but vital acts of courage that point to a different future.
Recent articles in Media
11 December 2025
Beyond the under-16 ban: online safety must be built in, not bolted on
As Australia’s under-16 social media ban comes into force, blocking access alone won’t stop online harm. Real protection depends on safety-by-design and a legal digital duty of care built into platforms themselves.
9 December 2025
Australia’s social media age ban is days away. Here is what it really means
Public debate about Australia’s social media age ban has focused on parents and children. But the burden sits with platforms, and the deeper risks lie in what replaces young people’s online communities.
2 December 2025
Why our government protects gambling apps but bans TikTok
Australia’s social media restrictions on children were sold as decisive action on harm. But the policy risks becoming symbolic, unenforceable, and ultimately counterproductive.
25 November 2025
AI in journalism and democracy: can we rely on it?
GenAI tools are reshaping the information environment in ways most audiences never see. From the data that trains them to the labour that maintains them, their inner workings raise urgent questions for journalism and democratic accountability.
22 November 2025
BBC and ABC targeted by conservative critics for the wrong reasons
Right-wing critics attack the ABC and BBC, but the real media bias is in ignoring Palestinian voices and defending power.
19 November 2025
Breaking free of media group-think is a scary, lonely journey. I know. I was forced to do it
The western media's failure to report the reality of Gaza didn’t start on 7 October 2023. It’s always been like this. Here’s why journalists won’t tell you the truth about Palestine.
10 November 2025
Arms industry infiltrates National Press Club
More than a quarter of the National Press Club’s sponsors are part of the global arms industry or working on its behalf.
8 November 2025
Murdoch, the Dismissal and my job in Japan
Rupert Murdoch played a critical role in the Dismissal. He knew how to bring pressure on Kerr and provided strong support for Malcolm Fraser.
8 November 2025
US-China power shift: a G2 world – Asian Media Report
In Asian media this week: Trump hints at changing great-power relationship. Plus: Beijing wresting control of the global narrative; Myanmar’s scam centre raids dismissed as a smokescreen; Prabowo considers declaring Soeharto a national hero; US approves South Korean nuclear-powered submarine; China’s modern women need new men.
8 November 2025
Revealed: Secret plans to introduce media censorship in Australia
Moves to restrict just what journalists can report on defence and intelligence matters are underway – and journalists need to get up to speed fast.
7 November 2025
When in doubt, blame China (every News Corp headline needs a villain)
If you only skimmed the headlines from News Corp, you’d be forgiven for thinking China was launching a krill-powered naval strike from Antarctica, staging an electric vehicle blitzkrieg across the outback and forcing Hyundai into some humiliating act of surrender.
7 November 2025
The press and the Dismissal – Part III
Television had come to the fore in elections during the Whitlam campaign of 1972 when increased funds were spent on advertising with slogans (It’s time was backed by a catchy jingle) and mainly short television grabs for the news.
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31 October 2025
Open letter to David Marr on his interview with Chris Hedges
10 October 2025
Journos as heroes and villains - 'The Hack' reviewed - Part 2
