Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

Happy Birthday Gough.

Richard:  Would you have time to write a quick birthday toast, Malcolm?

Michael de Angelos: "However, as newspaper circulations are plunging worlwide, people don''t seem to be seeking what they wanted as much as they used to."

This is a good thing isn't it? It proves the dynamics of free markets, and the consumers (people) that drive them. Much of what I've been writing about all along. If this is the case Mr Murdoch will have to have a look at his operations or he will go under the same as millions of failed businesses before him.

PS I don't do Nazi equivalence arguments.

Bill Avent: "Paul Morrella, why on earth would I trust a fair percentage of people to make a reasonable decision when they base their decisions on what they learn from Fox, namely lies disguised as fact? How can belief in misinformation lead to reasonable decisions?"

Fox News doesn't "lie", it's all a little more sophisticated than that. Fox presents a two sided story from a one angle. For example, they're not lying about Iraqis dying when they don't even mention Iraqis. Fox isn't "lying" about WMD's when it's presenting the evidence of the United States Government word for word. "We report you decide" says it all.

Fox has a number of opinion presenters that are just that. They present an opinion exactly the same as you or I would on this forum. You don't agree with that opinion, that's fine, don't watch Fox News.

It's not the obligation of Fox to present only the views that you find palatable.

And Citizen Kane was not the worst of an historically bad anything. He was a fictional character, for heaven's sake. Watching too much Fox seems to have got you all confused, to the point where you can't tell the difference between fact and fiction. It will do that to some. That's what I've been saying all along.

The character "Citizen Kane" is widely understood to be Randolph Hearst. Although Orson Wells claimed the character was mix of a number of industrialist at the time - Randolph Hearst is definitely a large slice of the character. The film was never reviewed by any of Randolph Hearst's publications and he did fight an intense battle against its release.

Paul Morrella, why on earth would I trust a fair percentage of people to make a reasonable decision when they base their decisions on what they learn from Fox, namely lies disguised as fact? How can belief in misinformation lead to reasonable decisions?

And Citizen Kane was not the worst of an historically bad anything. He was a fictional character, for heaven's sake. Watching too much Fox seems to have got you all confused, to the point where you can't tell the difference between fact and fiction. It will do that to some. That's what I've been saying all along.

Well, Paul Morrella, we could sit back and just watch as someone "gives people the things they seek (Its really not rocket science)."

They did it Germany from 1935 onwards. A few brave souls resisted and pointed out then that what the people were "seeking" was perhaps not what they really wanted and wasn't going to be very good for their health in the long run.

Indeed, what they and we all got in the end-was Rocket Science with the Blitz in London and the resulting devastation of their own cities Berlin and Dresden.

I suppose the real complaint should come under the Trades Description Act about most newspapers – that what they are getting is not "news" but entertainment.

And what they get, whilst seeking,can be confusing – as in today's latest "outrage" about supposed "child pornography" on the cover of an art magazine whilst the UK sister newspaper presenting this view still publishes page 3 girls in schoolgirl uniforms saying "Cor – get a look at this bird!"

However, as newspaper circulations are plunging worldwide, people don't seem to be seeking what they wanted as much as they used to.

I live in an apartment so I have to help clean up other's backyards – it's the neighbourly thing to do (and within my own self interests). If my neighbour's backyard goes to the dogs it will affect me in the long run.

That's part of Democracy as well (or used to be).

Bill Avent, you're obviously not a great believer in the democratic process. You certainly don't seem to trust a fair percentage of people to make a reasonable decision about most things. Well join the club. It's called democracy and that's the world we choose to live in.

Mr Murdoch is successful because he gives people the things they seek (Its really not rocket science). It's certainly not his job to be people’s life coach. It's also not his job to show people the things you'd prefer they watch. Such things of course if they "rated" would already be shown, and that's probably why he owns a multi-national media company and you don’t.

If people concentrated more about what they're doing in their own life (cleaning up their own backyard), instead of concerning themselves so much about what other people should be doing, many of the messes the world finds itself in would be easily avoided.

Malcolm B Duncan

I suppose that means you don't live in Iraq, or a city that only has News Limited owned newspapers or own a farm that is trying to compete with subsidised Rebel Colony agriculture.

You've supposed correctly.

I think media proprietors with such enormous world-wide inflence are inherently evil .   Lords Beaverbrook and Black spring to mind.   A free press is a mixed press.

"Citizen Kane" springs to mind as the worst of an historically bad bunch.

We'll see how much harm he does you when he backs the Republicans in the next Presidential election. 

Mr Murdoch has endorsed Barack Obama - which broadly follows most major media outlets. If Barack Obama is defeated, as I predict he will be, it won't be because of lack of media support or extremely wealthy and powerful fundraisers.

Michael de Angelos

You do sound very angry.

If I were angry I'd be ranting dislikes about something intangable to me like Mr Murdoch and Fox News.

Your devotion to Rupert is touching. I hope he feels the same about you.

I am not "devoted" to Mr Murdoch -  I just don't feel a need to dislike somebody that's never caused me any harm. Nobody, including me, is forced to buy any his products.

Actually, Paul Morrella, I have worked for News Ltd publications both in the UK and Australia.

I also once asked my stockbroker if News Ltd was a good investment. He replied, "No - built on a sea of debt".

No, I don't want "my truths" reflected in the media - just the truth.

You do sound very angry. Are you sure you aren't Piers Akerman? He once threatened to have me fired when I said he was a tosser but looked crestfallen after I told him I already had been fired three months earlier.

Your devotion to Rupert is touching. I hope he feels the same about you.

Michael de Angelos: "We will have to agree to disagree – I want a media that's accountable to citizens by reporting actually facts."

You, like a number of people, want your truths reflected by all opinion media. Maybe you should consider asking Mr Murdoch for a job in management (change from within) or become a shareholder or something. You'll get to put your views across once a year.

you don't care. So be it.

Not my job.

Gore Vidal is correct when he says (as the great American century begins its end days) that the next fascinating thing to watching the wonderful experiment of a Republic begin life and thrive is to be there as it ends, as all empires inevitably do.

When Mr Vidal leaves I'll begin to worry about the end of the "empire". Until that day I'll just consider Mr Vidal another media person selling his views to his niche audience for a profit. A little like Mr Murdoch, really.

"Why is it left to people like me to point out Fox operates in the USA, not the USSR – where there isn't any ministry for "truth". Fox isn't under any obligation to be balanced or unbiased. "We report you decide" says it all really. "

And who needs a "Ministry Of Truth" when you have Fox? I find your attitude rather bizarre – defending a medium riven with propaganda.

I've heard any number of defences for Fox and Murdoch's influence – but never one who actually thinks it's OK to report false information. Most people who watch Fox or read rags like the Daily Telegraph or the UK Sun or even the Times now believe what they are seeing (except those writing the guff) – but you seem to accept that their manner of skewing facts is perfectly reasonable.

We will have to agree to disagree – I want a media that's accountable to citizens by reporting actually facts – you don't care. So be it.

Indeed, who needs a Goebbels when people willingly accept a biased media!

I never actually thought I would see the day that the British philosopher Bertrand Russell predicted as early as the 1950's – when he replied to a question – that gradually the USSR and the USA would swap places: one would become more free and adopt capitalism in gradually increasing forms, the other would morph into its opposite number as freedoms were taken away, the media became a compliant tool of government and so on.

Gore Vidal is correct when he says (as the great American century begins its end days) that the next fascinating thing to watching the wonderful experiment of a Republic begin life and thrive is to be there as it ends, as all empires inevitably do.

Michael de Angelos: "Paul Morrella, why is it left to old socialists like me to defend capitalism and the one thing necessary for its survival – competition?"

Why is it left to people like me to point out Fox operates in the USA, not the USSR - where there isn't any ministry for "truth". Fox isn't under any obligation to be balanced or unbiased. "We report you decide" says it all really.

A Murdoch monopoly isn't an issue in the United States. His company isn't even one of largest three media sources. Monopoly regulations are a separate issue to freedom of speech regulations - which is exactly what you'd like to see imposed on "Fox". Good luck to you on that front.

The entire News Ltd worldwide stable (not just Fox News) actively supported and gave Bush and Blair the gravitas needed via repeated stories on their false WMD claims – the overwhelming public support in the US and the UK needed to invade Iraq.

Fox News, like all mainstream news outlets, reported on "government findings". A number of Fox News opinion presenters agreed with the government line on Iraq. It's a free country and opinions are just that.

Murdoch's excuse as given to Alan Jones in an exclusive interview – it would lead to oil prices plummeting to around $25 a barrel. He got that badly wrong and we are seeing the result today.

Excuse? He seems to have made a poor prediction. Thankfully for his shareholders he isn't involved with oil speculation.

Bill Avent: 'Truth-twisting propaganda should not be presented as news. News broadcasters have at least a moral obligation to present the whole of the truth, or something close to it. Choosing not to listen to broadcast lies is no answer — in a democracy the interests of those who don't listen to lies presented as news are damaged by the dumbing-down of those who do."

The only "moral obligation" Mr Murdoch is under is the one that makes the most money for the shareholders. He achieves that goal by presenting a popular show people will tune in on.  You could always attempt to find investors and start a competitor. It's for the most part a free capitalist world after all. Simply not watching would probably be the cheapest option, however.

Mike Carlton writes in today’s SMH:

A VERY well-respected, recently retired judicial figure sent me the following email this week: "No matter how distasteful one might find the alleged antics of the unctuous Della and his frightful spouse … and despite their foolish comments about co-operation with police, both the Prime Minister and the Premier seem to have completely forgotten that this pair has every right to remain silent. That is, as Rumpole was wont to say, 'a fundamental cornerstone of the English legal system', and therefore of ours.

"Politicians, even fools like these, cannot be separated from the rest of us, including media identities, car dealers and the actual criminal classes, on issues of legal rights, simply because they are politicians.

"The media and their political masters may well be pushing them towards a permanent stay application in relation to any criminal proceedings subsequently brought."

Good point. The hounding of John Della Bosca and Belinda Neal is no doubt a hugely popular blood sport, but it is a denial of natural justice that may see any case against them thrown out of court.

Food for thought, that.

Food for thought indeed – and something that both politicians and media should bear in mind. What about the case of convicted Queensland pedophile Dennis Ferguson, not to mention Dr Patel, formerly of the Townsville Hospital, or the recently-returned Tony Mokbel …. ? And who will be the first to scream about the failings of our judicial system, and demand better Laura Norder, if those trials are also aborted?

So far as Ms Neal and Mr Della Bosca are concerned, I’m willing to bet the money currently in my wallet (just been to the ATM…) that if the police send the matter(s) to the DPP (and I’m pretty sure that they will), the DPP will say something to the effect of “sorry, no can do – the evidence just won’t stand up”.

Paul Morrella, why is it left to old socialists like me to defend capitalism and the one thing necessary for its survival – competition?

Murdoch owns the major titles in all capital cities plus the bulk of suburban chains like Cumberland and the recently acquired Courier Newspapers.

In turn, Courier Newspapers and Rural Press own a large swag of Fairfax shares via John B. Fairfax who has been hit by the subprime mortgage crisis in the US. He may well have to sell his remaining Courier shares to News Ltd which effectively gives them control over all major newspaper publishing in Australia.

A recent – and totally unreported – change has just happened via the ACCC (courtesy of beefed up laws from Peter Costello). They have demanded Courier Newspapers give up their monopoly on real estate advertising in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney (anyone who receives the Wentworth Courier will be aware this is worth millions of dollars a year).

This was brought about by a small group – Independent Newspapers who publish the City News, The Hub and Bondi View. It's a remarkable achievement and the question being asked is – how did the Courier get away with it's predatory pricing for so long that sent many small competitors to the wall?

It's an important issue – similar to the Dick Pratt cardboard monopoly scandal that had us all paying extra for hundreds of household items. House sellers have had to do likewise in the entire south and east of Sydney.

The USA has extremely strict laws that govern those who are granted broadcast licences like Fox News. Murdoch has transgressed most of them but the appropriate government body that prosecutes simply ignores this – run as it is by Bush confidante, the son of Colin Powell.

In the UK complaints about newspapers are handled by a board funded by the publishers – they effectively ignore most major complaints. You may recall that all UK newspapers gave the Palace a written guarantee after the death of Princess Diana to lay off her sons and to cease buying paparazzi style pictures of them – ignored within the year.

We have the ABA and you will recall the head David Flint actively resisted the "cash for comments" scandal until finally forced to investigate.

Murdoch dabbles in government manipulation. He manipulated the Liberal Party dispute over whether Paul Hasluck or John Gorton would become leader by publishing a completely false story that Hasluck's best friend had an open ASIO file – thus tipping Gorton into the Prime Ministership. This was rewarded by Gorton immediately relaxing laws that enabled Murdoch to move money abroad to purchase the UK News Of The World and The Sun titles.

The entire News Ltd worldwide stable (not just Fox News) actively supported and gave Bush and Blair the gravitas needed via repeated stories on their false WMD claims – the overwhelming public support in the US and the UK needed to invade Iraq.

Murdoch's excuse as given to Alan Jones in an exclusive interview – it would lead to oil prices plummeting to around $25 a barrel. He got that badly wrong and we are seeing the result today.

Paul Morrella, Christian rock bands and the Ramones are one thing; things purporting to be news broadcasts are quite another. Comparison of apples with oranges is one thing; but let's not try to equate objectivity with bananas in pyjamas.

Truth-twisting propaganda should not be presented as news. News broadcasters have at least a moral obligation to present the whole of the truth, or something close to it. Choosing not to listen to broadcast lies is no answer — in a democracy the interests of those who don't listen to lies presented as news are damaged by the dumbing-down of those who do.

As to who will win the presidency — let's wait and see. I must admit I wouldn't be surprised if the average American were dumb enough to opt for more of the same thing that got them into the mess they're in at present. In a way, it would be a good result. The demise of the Mad American Empire would be good for the world at large.

Michael de Angelos, Fox is under no obligation to be either fair or balanced. No more obligation than say a Christian rock band covering the Ramones for "balance".

If people don't like Fox they shouldn't watch it. Perhaps even consider starting a competitor. If Mr Murdoch believed a Marxist conspiracy theory twerp would rate, I've no doubt that you'd be watching such a person on the network.

Mr Murdoch doesn't need me to defend him, and I couldn't be bothered defending him, I don't hold a financial interest in any of his companies. Mr Murdoch is a multi-billionaire, probably with very expensive tastes and hobbies, and a wife more than half his age. I find it most unlikely he cares what either politics, politicians or what the general public thinks about him. And why would he?

 Bill Avent, the Democrats will fare well in the election. The Democrat nomination for President will fall short of being elected.

I agree Kathy Farrelly that it's time for a petty ping pong word game to end and rest until the results come in.

I dispute though your comparison of the revolting comments carried on the News Ltd websites that are personal attacks upon Neal 's' physical appearance (in the hundreds and in the vilest and most abusive language that really does make you think there are some extremly potty people out there) compare to my observation of the waiters,who I genuinley believe are the biggest bunch of wimps to grace the floors of a restaurant.  I can just imagine Gordon Ramsey laying into the bunch for their actions.

Their collective group moan in print and on a TV tabloid show (for cash) is fairly pathetic. (perhaps tips are really bad at Iguanas - or maybe the service is).

I didn't imagine it - they were there giving interviews in the Sunday Telegraph portraying themselves as heroes and again on TV, as was Ms Neal's tearful former office worker looking distraught whilst clutching a fist full of dollars at the same time - and with a new claim she "spat in their face".

There are some people who will, of course, say anything for the right amount of money. I believe that's what we have seen and my long life has taught me that they will discover it wasn't worth it.

I can't judge Neal or Della Bosca for the actions that night. I don't know what happened, unlike all the soothsaying reporters who have had a field day and apparently abandoned any guise of fair reporting by consistently adopting one stance.

In a way, Alan Curran's straitjacket comment sums up neatly the collective thinking of a bunch of journalists who should be ashamed to call themselves that.

But I'm glad you mentioned that famous video again, as no-one apparently bothers to view it.  It reveals something similar to my times of working in restaurants when I was young and even though it was a long long time ago little has changed: that no-one has time to congregate around and listen to a customer's complaint, particularly 5 waiters who were apparently supposedly in such a great hurry to re-arrange a restaurant (add the flashing lights and music and I repeat - these lucky lads must have superman style hearing!)

This is my last post on this subject.  It's been an eye-opening in many ways.

I've seen that Barry O'Farrell, who I thought could make a credible alternative premier. is never going to and a fool to boot. 

His fuming over this minor matter for weeks and then total absence of comment over a real issue (the midnight introduction of fascist style laws that dictate what we citizens may or may not wear upon the very streets we pay taxes to maintain) show a man who is devoid of any principal.

We've seen Morris Iemma completely blow it -  a plus as it means his end is nigh.

As is it for the amusing but, let's face it, fairly useless Brendan Nelson, a nice man out of his depth who blundered through each of his portfolios whilst in government and has looked quite hysterical over the past few months. He does have nice hair though.

And Kevin Rudd has shown that he knows how to handle a crisis (or really a non-crisis) by being fairly vague and non-commital in his comments about the fiasco. (Although he does show a disturbing habit of commenting on just about everything under the sun - the Henson pics, the QLD pedo drama - that his advisors should tutor him to be a bit more aloof from every single drama of the day).

Meanwhile our media is still going rapidly to the dogs.  It's doubtful the Fairfax titles will survive with their continued dumbing down by the ex-footballer and grocers who run the company (apart from The Age where journalist have made a valiant effort to resist the odious management, but for how much longer?).

And meanwhile Murdoch's sweep of the media continues the plummet to the lowest common denominator (exampled today with the silly false story of Neal's pre-selection dumping - something any sane person should know wouldn't be even thought about for at least another year) as he joins the board of Associated Press (AP), which means he now sits on the board of the  world's biggest news agency service that supplies the vast majority of printed and television worldwide with pre-packaged stories which are then printed verbatim .

As the book Flat Earth News demonstrated via a mass of commissioned university studies, newspapers (and TV) worlwide carry AP stories that comprise up to 70% of their content with few (in the US alone 70,000 newspaper and TV employees have been made redundant over the past 2 years-the same is happening here) journalists having  the time or faciities (or will) to fact check those stories. They simply re-write them to suit the style of their employer.

Thus a story - as I've mentioned before about my friend Simon Napier-Bell apparently making two major films (of which he has absolutely nil knowledge) has been printed to date, he tells me, in 75 newspapers, a myriad of websites, countless magazines, and broadcast on the BBC. Although he is more than happy as this publicity is bound to assist sales of his next book, it shows a complete falsehood can sweep the world unchecked and will never be corrected.

Over and out for me on this subject!

Alan Curran, I've always said that Neal and Della Bosca's greatest "crime" was having the bad taste to go to what looks like an ghastly place with a corny name like Iguanas, and certainly a club that tips you out from your table in the middle of dinner isn't my idea of a classy joint.

So I wouldn't venture inside the place, and as those waiters look like a bunch of brutes who had no problem attacking Ms Neal, I doubt I'd last two minutes amongst them. I don't mind, however, confronting the big bad Hells Angel who quivered at Neal's dog – I'll take my kitten along and that should frighten the life out of him.

What union? They're probably on AWAs.

Frightened of the big bad lady are you, Alan Curran?

You sound like as big a wimp as the big brave waiters who could't wait to tell tattle tales to the media (and for cash).

I wonder if they can think and carry a tray at same time? Sounds like an odd place, this Iguanas - five waiters working in tandem, all moving as one unit to overhear every word someone says - unlike the hundreds of restaurants I've been to where one might impart a bit of gossip to the others as the tale gets exaggerated which each telling.

We'll get a straitjacket for you - we don't want you and the Hells Angel petrified of Belinda's puppy peeing yourselves in fright.

Hopefully you will give us a blow by blow report of Belinda Neal's counselling, Alan Curran, as it sounds like you'll be sitting in on the sessions.

Perhaps you could recommend a good counsellor for the readers of the Telegraph judging by the invective and spite that spit out in the various comments sections. There's a lot of very scary people out there frothing at the mouth and they aren't all politicians. The journalists who whip up this rubbish must find it a shining high to be proud of in their career.

Never fear - the Neal / Della Bosca ordeal will soon be over and there always be another pedophile around the corner to hound out of town - having first created the situation where they don't face court, tracking them down, alerting the world and to politely use Mae West's term - goad the local 'maroons" into a frenzy of "not in my back gardenism".

It's a win-win situation for the trashy media - first create the story and then follow through and keep it alive until the last drop is squeezed out of it.

Shame, though, that the taxpayer has to pick up the bill for endless police action. I wonder if the Iguana's story will feature at the Walkleys this year? We may see a frenzy of drunko journos in fits of jealousy attacking each other on the stage over who wrote the most vile piece.

Dare I say it - it's all been very un-Australian but I think Howard trashed that notion completely during his reign.

PS:  you silly sausage - you should know by now not to believe anything that comes out of Labor's in-faction fighting (or the Liberals for that matter).

And speaking of Liberals, Barry O'Farrell has gone strangely silent for a man fuming about Laura Norder over the past month ,just at the time Labor slips through laws that now decree what we can and cannot wear on our streets.

Afraid of upsetting Opus Dei are we, Barry?

Ah Democracy - where the bloody hell are you?

 On the other hand, Dylan Kissane:

The New South Wales branch of the Labor Party has denied a newspaper report that it has resolved to block federal MP Belinda Neal from standing again for her seat of Robertson on the state's central coast.

Today's Daily Telegraph reports the chiefs of the branch have decided to end Ms Neal's career over the saga surrounding her argument with staff at Gosford's Iguanas Waterfront nightclub.

Police yesterday interviewed Ms Neal and her husband, suspended state education minister MP John Della Bosca, about claims they threatened and abused staff. The pair gave into pressure to talk to officers on Wednesday.

A brief of evidence is now being prepared and the future of both politicians rests on the outcome.

The Administrative Committee of the NSW ALP is meeting today but secretary Karl Bitar says Ms Neal is not on the agenda.

Mr Bitar says there will be no formal decision about federal preselections until after a boundary redistribution due to take place some time next year.

Unfortunately I can't remember where I heard or read this next bit, but there seems to be a possibility that Robertson may be redistributed out of existence before the next Federal election.

The real difficulty with Rudd is just keeping pace with the endless, meaningless public relations stunts.

As quick as they are announced to acclaim from the claque assembled on each occasion to boost Rudd's "greatness as a leader", they are dropped from view.

Remember these two just in recent weeks, already down the gurgler?

Firstly, this:

"A Singapore foreign policy expert says Kevin Rudd's vision for an Asia-Pacific community is dead in the water.

Former ambassador Barry Desker says no Asian leader has backed the Prime Minister's call for a new regional institution, which Mr Rudd launched on June 4, before visiting Japan and Indonesia."

Actually, you have to read the entire (if short) transcript of the ABC interview with Desker  to really appreciate just how hilarious are the former ambassador's subtle side-steps as he deftly avoids calling that stunt a stunt, while still managing to make clear that it was a ridiculous stunt.

For example:

GRAEME DOBELL: Were you surprised that a former Australian diplomat and expert on Asia, like Kevin Rudd, could go about it this way?

BARRY DESKER: Kevin is someone who is outstanding for his diplomatic skills and I'm sure it is part and parcel of being someone who'd wish to come forward with some new ideas and lead him to make this proposal at this point in time.

GRAEME DOBELL: Was he too focused on the politics and not on the diplomacy?

BARRY DESKER: I'm not quite sure whether he was too focused on the diplomacy or the politics, but I would say that he was probably focused on wanting to have a new idea to put forward to the international regional community.

And then there was this flash in the pan...

THE US President, George Bush, has issued a statement marking the 40th anniversary of the United Nations non-proliferation treaty but omitted any mention of the initiative of the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, for a special commission to advance the issue worldwide.

The Bush Administration has yet to publicly comment on Mr Rudd's new commission, to be co-chaired by the former Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans.

Despite repeated requests by the Herald to the White House over the past month for its views on the issue, the response has been "no comment".

However, behind the scenes there has been surprise and irritation that Australia did not discuss the initiative with the US before going public, especially as the US, with Russia, has the two largest stockpiles of nuclear weapons.

In each case, 'consultation' was irrelevant, because the stunts were meant to be forgotten the day after the PR Officer sent the media release to the local networks.

Yesterday's COAG announcement on water management will be forgotten by this time next week, because it's largely meaningless, as was The Apology, as was The Summit, etc, etc, etc, etc....

Fortunately, Paul Morrella, Fox News is on the wane as far as ratings go but the damage has been done.

Its initial stunning success - and surely no-one disputes its completly biased reporting favouring the Republican Party and George Bush (figures prove that Republicans received favourable mentions over Democrats at about 20 to 1) - meant that other cable news stations followed suit  (including the US BBC cable station which in turn influenced the UK BBC's reporting of the Iraq War) in an attempt to match the success.

Add in the infamous memos revealed by departing employees that were daily handed out to reporters saying what the angle was for that day - mainly treat Bush's word as sancrosant and Democrats as suspect.

This resulted in mainstream US TV networks also "dumbing down" but it was the timing - the leadup to the Iraq War when Fox was flying high.

Just as Fox ran a permanent logo at the bottom of it's broadcasts:"Operation Free Iraq" (which surely should have been Operation Find Those Non-Existent WMDs) - all USA networks did likewise and followed suit.

So Fox didn't just appeal to "white bread socially conservative" folk - the opposite - it had an extraordinary across the field audience including many black Americans. Condolezza Rice and Colin Powell had an amazing capacity to pull in black audiences - whether the rather useless Condolezza was deliberetly chosen by Bush for this appeal (or is the rumour he refers to her as "Brown Sugar" true and why?) we will never know.  They were almost permanent fixtures on Fox broadcasts.

And that appeal was why those beating the war drums the loudest - various Neocons and Dick Cheney repeatedly appeared on the channel to push their phony information - which was then picked up by endless chains of US media outlets.

When I was young and working in London in music promotions and PR, I made a few trips to New York to promote various artists and projects. One of the greatest aspects of US publishing in the most popular newspapers and magazines was the "fact checking office" - something that is non-existent in the UK or Australia.

This was something that made so many US publications superb magazines , full of genuine facts ,and great writing that made produced some of the greatest writers on the planet.

I would always be amazed after visiting a publication, spruiking a product and then returning to London - to have in 4 or 5 weeks a young US intern track you down no matter where you were and then proceed to go through every inch of an article that was to be published - and fact check every single word, date, quote, spelling of names and so on. The professionalism was quite impressive.

That's all vanished from most mainstream publications including the New York Times which is why a handful of journalists manage to perpetuate total fraudelent stories for up to 18 months, shattering their credibility.

So a small cable network like Fox was able to dumb down US journalism almost single handedly and Murdoch used his UK success in doing likewise as the model. He may own a variety of titles in the UK - from the woeful Sun to the Times but all reflect the same attitude - just in differing ways.

Journalists on these publications no longer have the time, ability or the inclination to "fact check" stories that are presented to them by mainly two agencies - AP & Reuters. They mostly rewrite a prepackaged article presented to them. We see that here when a press release is isued by the government, police or a product manufacturer or some promoter - virtually the same story appears in every publication or TV broadcast with minor changes.

Murdoch's modus operandi is the complete opposite to former UK media barons like Lord Thompson - Tory to his bootstraps, but who gave his editors complete freedom plus the resourses to investigate and uncover great stories. If it resulted in bringing down Thompson's beloved Conservative Party - as it did with the Profoumo / Christine Keeler scandal - he wholeheartedly approved, believing that they deserved it and the eventual result would be a more honest party.

Today, newspapers no longer challenge governments - except in non-important issues but even worse, they dictate to governments. NSW government is almost run by decree from the Daily Telegraph (and it used to be shock jocks as well), a habit begun by Bob Carr.

And that isn't Democracy. Pravda lives on in another form.

Michael de Angelos "And Paul Morrella, rather than go into an endless discussion on the dreadful Murdoch media, Barack Obama appearing on Fox News sort of proves my point about their subversion of the political process in the US".

I've pointed out on numerous occasions Fox News is a white-bread socially conservative channel. It's not something "black lesbian militants", I'd imagine, sweat on with bated breath. Given you've a better understanding of the programming than moi, I can only guess which category you fall under.

I am not democratically minded (very open about it) - I'm not supreme leader minded either. I wouldn't trust 70% of people to feed my pets (a lot of them may watch Fox), let alone give them important decisions over my life.

Is your problem on the other hand is terminal?

You wish to believe in the system (people), yet I feel you don't. You need a scapegoat to keep that "belief" alive. You seem to have found it [them], and I wish you well.

I spend my spare time thanking the dot.con boom and Exxon Mobile.

PS I've no training at all in psychology (not even an interest), so I guess you could call this all a guess.

I'm aware of Neal's margin of 184 votes, Dylan Kissane, but the opposite is also true: if the great Iguana fiasco over table seating proves to be a non-event it could work to Neal's advantage.

And I'm judging that the tipping point is almost there - that Belinda may begin to be seen as the victim (that she is) and the tawdry comments that have been plastered over mostly the News Ltd websites (which means the majority of the media) that have including fairly revolting insults on her personal looks and body do not sit well with the people of Gosford who are being vicariously insulted about their choice at the ballot. Do not underestimate Aussies' capacity to rise up for the underdog and any perceived unfairness. (yes yes - I know about the waiters).

That is why the reporting has been so woeful by those who claim to be experts - from the SMH's Peter "Howard will romp in '07" Hartcher, the Tele's Malcolm "The Most Uninteresting" Farr to the Australians's amusing and most inacccurate Glenn Milne or Denis "Rudd's Credibility Shattered" Shanahan -not a single one has ventured to Gosford to gauge the reaction of the voters who put Ms Neal in place.

Vacuous and opinionated gossip and a re-hash of previous stories is all we get from them - they just about rival Ben "Foot in The Door / Mouth" Fordham for silly and non-newsworthy rubbish.

We deserve better but I doubt we'll get it.

Both Iemma & O'Farrell have played this game extremely badly - Iemma has alienated his own hard Right of the Labor Party - with whom Della Bosca wields far more weight . He'll be gone after a suitable waiting time as the glow of World Youth Day fades whatever the outcome. O'Farrell, should nought come of this fiasco will just look mean and ridiculous.

Brendan Nelson is in his end days anyway so what he has said means little. Kevin Rudd has handled his end cleverly - by repeated non-statements that "no-one is assured of a future in politics" - meangless stuff that sounds like a rap over the knuckles.

Malcolm Turnbull must be celebrating.

Michael de Angelos: "The pair of you – Paul Morrella & Eliot Ramsey– are just point scoring and obviously happy to see a Stalinist style media."

Point scoring? no.

If only this story could drag on and on and on....... So would say the Murdoch people. If they really hit the jackpot these people will be cleared by authorities. Nothing like the "new guy" getting pictured with the big sweeping broom outside government offices and all - it goes down one hell of treat.

The beauty of conspiracies is that over half the population believe them - any number of them. How do you think religions, and indeed governments, exist?

Alan Curran, I'm not sure "getting counselling " translates into committing a crime, does it? That would be alarming for half the people I know who have received counselling over the years-none of whom I can recall have had trouble with the law.

Indeed, I think my own late father got counselling ( successfully) to deal with his smoking habit.

And Paul Morrella, rather than go into an endless discussion on the dreadful Murdoch media, Barack Obama appearing on Fox News sort of proves my point about their subversion of the political process in the US.

What "correct party line" is there over the Neal/Della Bosca fiasco, Eliot? It all seems to be a complete mish-mash to me. What  were the "shredded documents"? Let's leave the Tele and tabloid TV shows to make up facts-Webdiary should be free of them.

And has anyone spotted yet-even one of the esteemed Canberra / NSW poltical "pundits" writing a piece or doing any in-depth research on the actual voters in Neal's electorate and what they think?. The ones who voted her in with a majority despite all the hullaballo about being parachuted into the seat.

I know Today Tonight outrageously tried to pass of some garbage piece about some anti-Neal local protesters as a genuine news-until it came to the leader of the protest-the defeated Liberal candidate.

One would think their views might matter, or perhaps they don't.

Bill Avent: "And I'll try anything once. Paul, the New York Times article is about money going from the federal government to religious organisations; nothing to do with fund raising for Obama's cause."

I know what the article was about. It's called an aside.

Hailing from a "half" Democrat family (supported Hillary), I wouldn't want you thinking the probable upcoming defeat was due to lack of "food stamps". 

Yes, Barack is certainly a fund raising machine.

 Michael de Angelos: "Who needs a conspiracy when people willingly fall into line?"

Gee, I dunno Michael. You're the one who seems to be toeing the correct party line. Belinda and John are dutiful cadres who wouldn't think of abusing their status within the nomenklatura yet are being besmirched by the bourgeois western media...

As Brezhnev's mum said when she first visited the Party Chairman's new holiday dacha on the Black Sea: "Wowwww, Leonid, this is beeeeauuuuutiful. But what happens if the Reds ever come back?"

Marilyn Shepherd: "For christ's sake nothing happened to anyone.  Meanwhile babies are being murdered by their demented grandfather, or father, or mother in this nation and we are still whining about something that was nothing anyway." 

Not to mention being squashed by bulldozers...

Anyway, latest developments in the Watergate break in...

"After  almost three weeks of  investigation and claims of non cooperation in the Iguanagate affair,  John Della Bosca  emerged smiling from a four-hour interview at Gosford police station.

He was driven out of the police car park.

His wife, Federal MP Belinda Neal, is also being interviewed this afternoon."

Er, I mean 'Iguanagate' of course. Watergate was deleted tapes, Iguanagate is shredded documents.

I have to say, a lot of people have certainly nailed their flags to the mast on this one.

It'll be funny to revisit this thread if Belinda and John are "intervened" from the Labor Party or end up in gaol or something, won't it?

The pair of you – Paul Morrella & Eliot Ramsey – are just point scoring and obviously happy to see a Stalinist style media.

I think you, Eliot, are either a closet Marxist or an agent provocateur. You are the only one I know who reads Green Weekly and can quote Jon Plilger and Noam Chomsky ad infinitum!

As Nikkita Krushev once said to John Kennedy:

"How do you get your journalists to write such propaganda? We have to threaten ours with jail".

What are the chances of uncovering a Watergate scandal these days, when you have the infantile Iguanagate to fulfil its role?

And has anyone yet discovered whether Barry O'Farrell – or indeed whoever it is that comprises the NSW Liberal Party today (I've no idea who they are) – can walk and chew gum at the same time?

Sadly it seems not – he's still consumed with the phoney Neal scandal while new fascist style laws are introduced overnight that now tell us what we can and cannot wear, whilst the "Youth Day Minister" actually gets up on the telly and tells deliberate porkies.

At least at the Federal level Malcolm Turnbull may introduce some intelligent talk into parliament. It's one thing for Kevin Rudd to coast into another term, but having a pathetic Opposition that actively assists him is bizarre.

Meanwhile – you two continue to read the Funnies.

Who needs a conspiracy when people willingly fall into line?

Despite Eliot Ramsey's delicate insinuations, I don't hold a brief for Ms Neal and/or Mr Della Bosca (couldn't anyway - I don't have a practising certificate at the moment). What I am concerned about, however, is selective use of material (something that I seem to remember occasionally upsets Mr Ramsey...). As for the latest fracas, Irfan Yusuf's piece in today's Crikey is worth reading:

I’ve criticised Della Bosca and Neal over Iguanagate. But seriously, last night Channel Nine’s tabloid A Current Affair showed they aren’t much better, reaching new lows in trailer-trash reporting when Ben Fordham followed Federal MP Belinda Neal in her car as she drove to her electorate office. Fordham, with a two person camera crew ready, accosted Neal as she was entering what appeared to be a secured rear door (which perhaps can only be opened by an Allen key) to a building which also houses a branch of the Commonwealth Bank.

You can watch the video here. At first, Fordham and the camera were standing behind Neal. After she entered the narrow doorway, Neal tried to close the door so as not to allow Fordham and his crew in. Viewers next see Fordham running behind Neal. We see Neal from the front. Mysteriously, the two-person camera crew has manoeuvred in front of Neal.Both the doorway and the staircase Neal was walking down were narrow spaces. How did a two-person crew start out behind Neal outside and end up in front of her inside such a confined space? Either:

1. The camera crew jumped over Neal’s head just as she entered the door, in which case Channel Nine must hire some extremely skinny camera operators who should be heading for Beijing to compete in the highjump; or
2. Neal and/or the camera crew were ghosts, the crew moving through Neal and getting in front of her; or
3. The camera crew consisted of very skinny ductile pygmies and/or midgets with wings; or
4. Neal had a change of heart, opened the door and said: "You can come in now"; or
5. Fordham and the crew forced the door open, the cameraperson slipping in front of her.

Neal contacted police and has released a statement alleging the Channel Nine crew assaulted her. They deny it, and host Tracey Grimshaw insists Channel Nine handed footage to the police. I trust it is the unedited footage showing exactly how the cameraperson managed to miraculously make his/her way in front of Neal without using force. [my emphasis]

What we have in this matter is trial by media. Unfortunately, what we are unlikely to get is a proper trial, in which evidence will be tested.

Bill Avent: "Encourage them to watch Fox News."

Probably.

Somebody should tell Barrack

Seems he's gone a-courtin' the audience, and not just the religious if the fund raising anything to go by cha-ching!

Neal and Della Bosca will not be charged with anything and there has not been any investigation by the police.

For christ's sake nothing happened to anyone.  Meanwhile babies are being murdered by their demented grandfather, or father, or mother in this nation and we are still whining about something that was nothing anyway.

If Neal had given $300 million to Saddam Hussein that might be worth writing about.

As for Rudd losing the plot - read the average Australia wide newspoll today, Not even Shannas could do anything but conclude the coalition are on the nose all over the country except in NSW and Rudd is preferred by a factor of over 60% to less than 20% all over the nation to Nelson.

Will you people please shut up about the Neal thing.

Encourage them to watch Fox News.