David Finlayson ✏️

David Finlayson - following journalism, politics and St Kilda FC from the Surf Coast. Wadawurrung land. WordBiz - journalism & communications.

[David Finlayson ✏️ @Word_Biz]

Total common sense in this article from Hugh White. My words: AUKUS and US bases in Australia are millstones around our national neck. We are tied to an unpredictable US [due to its crazy President] with up-side for the US and none for Australia.

https://t.co/R7E5FSvhOl

[David Finlayson ✏️ @Word_Biz]

Really??? Breathtaking.

[Josh Bornstein @JoshBBornstein]

Who do you go to to teach ethics to public servants?
Yep. K P M G.

[Dan Rather @DanRather]

If I may, there’s something I need to get off my chest.

As democracy remains under siege, it has been frustrating to watch how the press covers politics these days.

I am reminded by lessons that came to me during the Nixon years as a CBS News correspondent, which I’ll add here:

1. Enough with Both-sides-ism

When one side lies intentionally and repeatedly, they are no longer entitled to the benefit of the doubt. They should be held to account, right away. Do not simply repeat the narratives they spew.

2. Prioritize Live Fact-Checking

Rigorous and robust fact-checking is the best defense against misinformation, intentional lies, and deflection.

If Trump says the sky is green, the story isn’t that the sky is now green; the story is that the sky is still blue and Trump got it wrong.

3. Ask Lawmakers Hard Questions

Ask about the fundamental principles of democracy. Push them to go on the record that Biden won the 2020 election.

Ask if they support the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This writing is not to offer any claim of knowing it all. Your correspondent has made his share of mistakes, but after more than seven decades I believe I have picked up a few useful guideposts.

Good journalism is always worth it. Our democracy depends on it.

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For the rest of my list, please see my the latest post of my independent newsletter – the link is in my Twitter biography.

[Mike Carlton @MikeCarlton01]

Extraordinary.

[David Finlayson ✏️ @Word_Biz]

@PatsKarvelas Have a great break @PatsKarvelas Looking forward to your return in 2024!

[Scott Burchill @IRanalyst]

So should Australia @AlboMP @SenatorWong

[Tony Windsor @TonyHWindsor]

Interview of the year.

[Elaine Carbines AM @elainecarbines]

As a board member of the highly successful ⁦@NFuturesGeelong⁩ I am deeply concerned about our ability to continue to provide important pre Employment training to the most disadvantaged community in the state - please see our media release issued today👇🏻

[Sophie McNeill @Sophiemcneill]

This is just shocking @abcnews

ABC footage ‘betrayal’ leads to arrests of three more climate activists

"One of the people arrested on Thursday, Tahlia Stolarski, said police had confirmed to her that she had been arrested as a result of the ABC footage"
https://t.co/eZgLd8Jt3e

[Jane Caro @JaneCaro]

This article makes me ill. Are we meant to feel sorry for schools charging tens of thousands in fees because they might lose a smidge of their public funding (why are they getting any in the first place) & have to pay their teachers more? https://t.co/s2D5LatXVc

[Barrie Cassidy @barriecassidy]

Did ABC journalists by taking a free trip to Israel bring into question their ability to cover the story impartially? Apparently not. So why bully those signing a petition suggesting the media can do better? Journalists have opinions. Who would have thought?

[Barrie Cassidy @barriecassidy]

Don’t like to see any journalists banned from covering particular stories but especially when that ban is imposed by editors who took junkets to Israel.

[Sophie McNeill @Sophiemcneill]

The Australian government warns Israel on civilian deaths in Gaza but @AlboMP & @SenatorWong stop short of calling for a ceasefire.

Until they do, their support provides cover for Israel's war crimes against civilians.

They need to urgently call for a #CeasefireNOW⬇️

[David Finlayson ✏️ @Word_Biz]

John Howard says he ‘always had trouble’ with the concept of multiculturalism. Really John? You hid that so well.
https://t.co/nK3YJjIEI2

[John Lyons @TheLyonsDen]

https://t.co/R3F4pJf04w via @ABCaustralia
Is the killing of almost 1000 Palestinian children every week self defence? And imagine if it was 1000 American children a week being killed. Would the world react differently? My latest column

[Greg Barns SC @BarnsGreg]

Paul Keating didn't sign. Showing his strength again.
https://t.co/CGCviTIJV7

[Barrie Cassidy @barriecassidy]

More children have been killed in Gaza in the last 3 weeks than the total number killed in all global conflicts in the last four years. Let that sink in. Source: Save the Children/The Age.

[Greg Barns SC @BarnsGreg]

Meanwhile Australia quibbles over words on a #UnitedNations resolution
No text, no talk. Palestinians plunged into digital darkness in Gaza.

https://t.co/GPXb0zeGHW