I used to read the Fairfax broadsheets almost exclusively. Then I got sick of always agreeing with the comment and coverage, and decided to start reading The Australian to get a taste of right-wing bias.

These days, when I pick up a copy of the Sydney Morning Herald or The Age, it seems almost cartoonish: shock and horror stories about celebrities, reality TV updates and populist nonsense about petty crime and local politics.

How has it come to pass that the nation's best broadsheet is based on the most narrow-minded political ideology? Why is there no high-quality competitor with a politically progressive perspective?

I've found the same thing, Sancho. The SMH and The Age can't quite compete with The Australian for coverage.

Though I must say, The Australian's coverage has suffered somewhat since the loss of Matt Price, one of the few journalists who I'd say don't have an overt bias.

Not entirely sure why they've gone downhill, though I guess historically speaking, The Australian was Murdoch's baby, and he gave it pretty strong backing. Fairfax has been in troubled waters for quite some time now, and The Fin Review's had many of their best staff poached by The Oz.

I'm not sure how well the merge with Rural Press went down, but Fairfax doesn't seem to be coping with new media landscape as well as the Australian division of News Corp.

Pssst...Sancho... I'll tell you a secret :)

come close now... closer.. turn ur head sideways.. give me ur ear...

*Advertising revenue/ratings* :)

there..now you know.

blessings.

Sancho's right, it's not that the Australian's improved at all, rather that Fairfax has gone to pot. I buy the Oz on Saturdays and the 2 local rags during the week for local news.

Other than that it's online, RN, and SBS/ABC TV news and commentary. I buy 'The Monthly' every now and again.

Ditto to the above. We content ouselves with the Australian and the CT which is not too bad for a local rag.

The website versions are more scary of late and I don't even bother with the SMH online news anymore; it has become a gaudy celebrity one-stop shop. It does not even pretend to be a news site, flaunting its tackiness as a magnet for the online advertisers in pursuit of that ever rising share price.

A bit off-topic, but has anyone noticed how the ABC now has at least 4 or 5 advertisments between shows on television for other ABC shows? The break between actual programmes seems to have magically increased to hwere it now has as long a breaj between shows as the commecial channels (even more in some cases, as the commercials often start one show right after another so as to not lose any viewers).

it is pretty irritating