Why did Klim, Thorpe, Trickett and Hugell return to swimming for the money or the glory? And why were their decisions reported the way they were in the media?
Abbott should have known better—the Brasillach affair
Tony Abbott is in no way a Robert Brasillach. But he is an intellectual, and that is the standard by which he should be judged.
Come in Spinner: Second time luckier
If Kevin Rudd had approached his mining tax, and the emissions trading system, in the way Julie Gillard is approaching the carbon tax he might still be Prime Minister.
Come in Spinner: The pants on fire test
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a US newspaper is either turgid beyond belief or a source of the many fantasies which so many US citizens seem to believe. Yet there are exceptions.
Come in Spinner: A traditional framing device
The recent Royal Wedding is instructive for many reasons, but probably mainly for illustrating the effectiveness of using tradition as a framing device.
Come in Spinner: Bah humbug
This Christmas remember the best Christmas greeting - Bah Humbug – and don’t forget to blame it on the PR people, from the early Christians onwards, who created the monster which is the festive season.
Come in Spinner: The end of the year leadership and reform agenda round-ups
As the annual political round-ups start to roll out it is fascinating to watch how they are all obsessed with ‘leadership’ and activity, and how the respective political parties’ PR people work to shape how that leadership and activity are seen.
Come in Spinner: The conventional wisdom is always wrong
Insight about the conventional wisdom is one which tells us much about how attitudes are shaped, how hard it is to change them and how the general consensus influences political debate.
Come in Spinner: Silences and complexity
Many journalists and others despair of what PR does and how it works. But there are times when its skills and practices can be more than useful.
Come in Spinner: Background briefings Cui Bono?
The quickest way to identify who might have placed a particular story or viewpoint in a media outlet – and why they are doing it – is simply to ask the old question: cui bono?