We researched Russian trolls and figured out exactly how they neutralise certain news
Aug 08, 2018 11:54 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Russian troll factories have been making headlines for some time. First, as the Kremlins digital guardians in the Russian blogosphere. Then, as subversive cyber-squads meddling with US elections. While there has been...

Audiences love the anger: Alex Jones, or someone like him, will be back
Aug 08, 2018 11:31 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Confrontational characters spouting conspiracy theories and promoting fringe ideas have been with us since the invention of American broadcasting. First on radio, then on television, the American audience has consistently...

Writers' festivals aren't an imaginary republic of letters – they are political arenas
Aug 06, 2018 02:51 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Once again, we are in the middle of a public spat about who should get to speak at a writers festival in Australia. It appears the Brisbane Writers Festival uninvited Bob Carr and Germaine Greer (the festival has said...

What the world can learn about equality from the Nordic model
Aug 01, 2018 15:08 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics Life
Rising inequality is one of the biggest social and economic issues of our time. It is linked to poorer economic growth and fosters social discontent and unrest. So, given that the five Nordic countries Denmark, Finland,...

Digging up Franco: why Spain still can't decide what to do with the dictator's body
Aug 01, 2018 14:34 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
The story of Spain during the 20th century is a complex one. The last remnants of the once-great Spanish empire were slipping away. The Second Spanish Republic was declared in April 1931 and King Alfonso XIII was forced...
Nine-Fairfax merger rings warning bells for investigative journalism – and Australian democracy
Aug 01, 2018 14:06 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
If you value the medias watchdog role in democracy, then the opening words in the deal enabling Channel Nine to acquire Fairfax Media, the biggest single shake-up of the Australian media in more than 30 years, ring alarm...
When Trump comes to Australia, let's hope protesters get more creative than the baby blimp
Aug 01, 2018 13:57 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Trump Baby is President Donald Trumps highest-profile troll. During his recent UK visit, the airborne infant protested alongside tens of thousands of marchers against current US policies. While Trumps itinerary was...