David is correct in highlighting the intrusion of opinion in reportage but this needs further examination. For one of the key social attributes that has been lost over recent decades has been an across the community decline in the capacity to even distinguish between fact and opinion. It is a top down problem in that, for politicians, perceptions are everything.

It recently manifest itself in Queensland when Parliament voted to waive (pervert?) the normal course of justice for a former minister who lied to a budgetary estimates committee, in prima facie breach of the criminal code. The normal course of justice is that a person who has a case to answer is brought before a court where evidence is presented and tested by the accused in his defence. But this course of justice was waived on the basis that "all politicians tell porkies". The fact that the lies were made in an attempt to protect people who may have been guilty of gross criminal negligence and/or the manslaughter of at least eight people had no bearing on the party line vote.

But in relation to the Cronulla riot, the very worst bit of highly offensive opinionism, it is not journalism, was the cartoonist that implied that this entirely metropolitan problem, in both cause and effect, was somehow rooted in rural Australia. The background shadow of the hat with corks was a classic example of the propagandists art.

The simple facts of the matter indicate that there has been an escalating sequence of metrocentric law and order issues that have not been addressed by the metrocentric government that is tasked with doing so.

So when can we see a forum called onlinefact.com?

We could have had The Australian Press Council down there at Cronulla and then there would have been some action.

Dear Big Fish

You ask where did David Flint jump to the defence of Alan Jones. Did you read his article, in defence of shock jocks? It is Alan Jones's (he IS a shock jock in case you're wondering) role in the whole Cronulla riots that has been under discussion. You wouldn't believe the ABC by the sound of it, so try any other national paper.

As to restoring balance in the media - I'm all for that. For instance, let's restore balance by getting all radio stations to disclose who's paying them money, then we'd know if they're balanced or not. David Flint, as shown by his track record, clearly doesn't think this is a good idea. Let's restore balance by stopping politicians from bullying the ABC (worth noting that both Labour and Liberal governments have tried intimidating the ABC, which suggests strongly that the ABC is pretty even handed). Let's restore balance by having greater diversity of media ownership instead of the oligopoly of Murdoch and Packer. Let's restore balance by asking why the media in Australia is so uncritical of the invasion of Iraq, whilst in the USA and the UK, the decision to invade has been the subject of major scrutiny, as it should be. Let's restore balance by asking why a newspaper like the Adelaide Advertiser (a Murdoch paper) had a front page headline on the morning of the 2001 election screaming "The Boat People Poll", which is exactly what Howard would have wanted - call that balance?

And as for Howard's views being popular. Well if you think that telling lies to win elections (e.g. WMDs, children overboard etc.), is ok, you're right. Is this a good way to run a country? Not in my book. That's not leadership, that's dishonest manipulation, and it's supported by significant parts of the media.

Deary,Deary me David: Giving your little mate Alan a lift up today are we?
I have never rung Alan or any other type of talk-back show. I
have listened only a few times though mainly it was John Laws. In the short time I listened I found that in the main those who rang in were usually a sandwich or two short of a picnic. As well they were so easily led by the compere, well they would be eh?
Really I cannot understand why sensible people listen to such utter swill and garbage. As well at the same time listen to the pathetic comperes shining their pathetic egos.
Now does that make me right wing or left wing or a little of both?
I get sick and tired of the so-called intelligentsia {dumb actually}labelling those who disagree with their views soft left, left or hard left ditto for right wingers. Numbat

Excellent David Flint,
In this Bankrupt Socialist state of NSW, The Police Service (PC) gets the information off the a m dial not the police network.
I would urge all police to now come up to the plate and document every single event possible that has been suppressed by politicians and Community leaders, and present those facts to the Governor General. This state is the most corrupt, lying and Mafia manipulated conglomerate of mall administration crap fill Destroyers on the face of the earth, well just short of some other tin pot regime in the mid east or Europe.

If it was not for the SHOCK JOCKS, this state and Australia would never know what deception the parasite Beruocrats and fourth rate politicians as well as the other useless idiots in other media outlets have done, well and truly over the criminal element of complicity.
New Nuremberg trials be ordered, yes that’s right they may well all qualify for charges of sedition and treachery against Australia. Start from the top. Roll on the revolution against corruption in high places and convict the Looters. Fairdinkum

Poor old immigrants! They come to Australia for a quiet life - and what do they get? - more "mad mullahs".

Look, it doesn't matter whether a "mad mullah" is broadcasting from a minaret in the Middle East or a radio tower in Sydney. The principle, the flavour, the thrust, the intent, the vibe is the same.

They say William Joyce was a top broadcaster. Too bad he didn't have talkback radio in those days. He would have loved it.