Hi Belly,
Thanks for the welcome.
I must say that I held back in my thread opening.
What I truly believe is that a functioning - and therefore ethical - media is fundamentally essential to a successful democracy.
Insofar as Murdoch has profoundly damaged the media landscape through his cynical greed, I contend that he and his ilk are a greater threat to our democratic way of life than all the terrorists in the world put together.
I note that now the media inquiry has been announced, the media is howling that they are perfectly capable of self regulating and that the government should stay out.
As Dr Phil often says, "The best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour".
On that basis the media definitely need ongoing scrutiny from a body other than themselves.
Cheers,
Anthony
www.observationpoint.com.au

Anthony I agree with every word.
Far too many have no idea of what is behind the headlines, power privilege, slanted reporting in the name of self interest.
Right now this media giant is lying with intent.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/sep/20/nick-clegg-news-international-milly-dowler
A 3 Million British pound pay out to just one victims family.
13 now maybe more to come charged.
High officials, including police commissioners forced from office.
This growing scandal concerns me.
It should concern us all.
Yet it, it the weird strange way of western politics, America you shame us all, we take sides not demand better.
American politics now anchored in rage, in nasty vindictive rhetoric not honesty, infects my country.
We at some level know, this media giant acts as a power base for one family one mans wants and wishes.
Yet for those who share those wishes any crime can be forgiven.
Even as tabled in Parliament yesterday evidence a news paper here in our country, constructed a lie to harm the ALP and assist Tony Abbott.
I will believe in a free press, a press acting for all our good, our country's good, on the day.
Murdock Media lets us see a true revue of Abbott, Australia needs far better from a future Prime Minister.

what has been ignored is that in a properly functioning democracy you need a an effective press- you need courageous journalists who are prepared to expose corruption, explain controversial and complex political issues and who, above all, are non partisan. What Murdoch has achieved is to create a press which has become part of the entertainment industry, it serves by and large as a distraction from serious political discussion. Such investigative reporting as is carried out is unashamedly partisan hence the equally shameless courting of the murdoch press by politicians.
In the meantime the Murdoch press has enabled our democracy to be hijacked to the point where politicians irrespective of their notional ideology are little more than apologists for the status quo.

What I am going to say will earn me no new Friends.
Yet after my morning read, including the extremely muddy waters of the Murdock media.
I think some one just must say it.
We all have views and opinions, very few of us, myself included are not unhappy with our poor performing Prime Minister.
Some views come from a true understanding,those are in the minority.
Some from a conversation over heard at work, or held with the bloke next door over the fence in a break from mowing the lawn.
Its in our DNA to lampoon politicians, or fall at their feet, based on little things a smile can turn one in to an idol.
We from our mums milk or dads mouth learn one side is the very Devil the other without sin.
By my age the university of life has shown us both sides are and always will be imperfect, but one the lessor of two evils.
Opinions are not truths, during my read an Australian of note, was shown to be finding wonders of the past in goggle earth photos.
The highlighted photo shows an ancient rock walled compound, leading into it tracks to drive beast to be harvested and eaten.
My minds eye truly honestly see all media ,all of it, like this and us?
Being first attracted then stumbling along in the preferred directions.
Media is a business.
It exists to sell us everything from food to opinion.
Those who own and control media ultimately are there for self interest.
While I hold great hope for todays young, and those to come, many sit at a computer key board playing games!
And understanding no more than those soon to be dead beasts.
I need to continue.

Any informed person, any one with an inquiring mind will know or can find out.
Press first then all media has always influenced us.
From the single page pamphlets of London to the Rum Rebellion ones in early Sydney.
Some activly supported government policy's every one,in its history took sides,some activly drove people to go to war,and die.
We are isolated, some know nothing of the phone hacking, its implications.
It warns us, reminds us, power and privilege can not be trusted.
Today a campaign is continuing ,in papers owned by our ex Australian Media Barron.
In the style of his family before him and his every move in his life, the campaign is to not see open review of media.
Not take away his POWER we heedlessly pick our team, refuse to consider we are being told story's that are not true.
Today I a proud member of the Australian Labor Party say openly Gillard is no leader, Claim with pride our policy's are best.
BUT charge Murdock Media, Green media ABC, with a crime against us all our very country.
In efforts to destroy Gillard [she needs no help] and my government.
The blind protective barrier they place around Tony Abbott is shamefully.
No true Conservative should not be deeply embarrassed by his every utterance of no no no.
If media is prepared to over look this tiny man,his inability to hold his job nothing they do can be believed.