Murdoch Media. Where the truth goes to die.

The Australian Independent Media Network

In modern terms “The Fourth Estate” commonly refers to the media but more specifically the print media. In the American system of government the term segregates the media from the constitution, the law, various levels and branches of administration. In Australia the same principle applies.

The Fourth Estate is the custodian of the people’s right to information. And of course the truth of it. It has no official status but is of symbolic importance. Its function should be to provide access to the public of information vital to the essential health of democracy for at least two reasons. First, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Second, information serves a “checking function” by ensuring that elected representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elected them.

It is called the fourth branch of government because…

View original post 920 more words

Tony Abbott’s problem with the truth

The Australian Independent Media Network

People lie for a number of reasons: sometimes it is accidental that through the person’s own ignorance, statements are made which gives the appearance of being deliberate; the aim being to deceive.  However, and of course, all is forgiven because it is abundantly clear to the reader/listener that the “lie” was purely accidental and its consequences unintended.

People also lie as a defence mechanism, that via that person’s emotional and mental immaturity they are incapable of providing an honest answer, but must resort to a simplistic lie.  Ego also comes into play with the person incapable of accepting responsibility for the fact that they have made a mistake.

Revenge is also a motivator for lying.

However, with the exception of revenge, such behaviour can fall within the confines of what is considered normal.  It is not a pattern of behaviour but something which occurs in response to exceptional circumstances.  The…

View original post 1,333 more words

This is the most backward government we have ever seen

Indeed this is the worst Govt in history. These words spoken a few hours before Holden defecated on the opposition.

The Australian Independent Media Network

This is a copy of a speech made to the Federal Senate by NSW Senator Doug Cameron. Emphasis added.

BILLS: Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013
Second Reading

Wednesday, 11 December 2013, 11:41

Senator CAMERON (New South Wales)

I indicate my opposition to the government policy in relation to the Climate Change Authority (Abolition) Bill 2013. What you have to understand, when you look at this little part of the coalition’s anti-climate-change policy, is that this is about government secrecy. This is about ensuring that there is no independent authority having a look at the shambles of a policy called direct action—the policy that would require twice the area of Victoria to be planted out with trees to gain some of the climate CO2 reduction that they claim they will achieve. It is about ensuring that that short-term policy, which has been roundly criticised from within the coalition as…

View original post 2,362 more words

You’re Not Listening – Craig Thomson’s trial by media

WixxyLeaks

Today Craig Thomson is back in a Magistrates Court in Melbourne as the trial for the criminal case against him commences.

However before that commences I have something that has to be cleared up.

Back on the 12th September 2013 I posted an article called “Pieces Of Truth”that looked at the coverage of Craig Thomson’s criminal case by News Ltd, particularly The Australian.

My article made mention of a particularly misleading article published in The Australian dated 3rd September 2013. That article provided coverage of Craig Thomson’s criminal case mention in court the previous day.

In my article I stated;

“According to Greg James QC the article in The Australian has been referred to the Executive Officer Of The Court by the magistrate for possible charges of contempt of court for its authors Ean Higgins and Pia Ackerman.”

This statement has been disputed. As I was not in attendance at…

View original post 1,039 more words

Shock & awe!

Cant wait for it all to sink in! If only the Aussie public would take a bit of interest in politics, after all it effects everything you do, well, not that I guess… I wonder how long it will tak Aus to wake up to the tea party? Before the election “we will move on day 1 to remove the carbon tax, to ” ect ect ect… here we are 10 days later & he hasent even been to the Govenor General! Wonder if this is how fast they will operate for the next 3 years!?

Good luck with the future…

Education Abbott Style

The Australian Independent Media Network

I am currently in the middle of writing a story titled “The Priest and the Schoolboy.” At the same time, I am trying to complete a self-portrait that has been on my easel for a month. I cannot do either because I am so frustrated. No angry with this person, this characterless male we call the leader of the opposition. Only good manners prevent me from saying what I really think of him. His budget in reply speech has left me so cold that I have been forced to turn up the ducted heating higher than normal.

There is much in that speech that I could tackle and rip into. The total hypocrisy of it. For example, what ever happened to “If there is no carbon tax you don’t need any compensation. And of course he was back to “Stopping the boats” where as last week Scott Morrison was saying…

View original post 851 more words

Budget Blues and Other things

The Australian Independent Media Network

In January of this year I wrote a piece outlining my list of “political priorities for 2013.”I blogged it prior to the Prime Ministers announcement of a September election. I also invited people to add their particular priorities. Some corresponded with mine and others were completely different.

With the budget, having been delivered this is my report card to date. Originally, I placed then in random order and did not prioritise one over another. However, the election is getting closer so I have put them is some sort of personal preeminence.

1.That the electorate might awake from its malaise and see that this is a very important election for the future of Australia and that politics in some way or another affects their very being.

There are no signs of this so far and it can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, that Australians in general are so…

View original post 1,244 more words