Murdoch could never become biased enough to balance the ABC. Much prefer an honest "kick this useless mob out", than the disgusting back door ABC method.

Also prefer someone doing it with their own money, not the creepy crawlies at the ABC doing it with mine.

Poirot, Pelican,

"Murdoch is spitting on democracy"

So where were you in 2007, or have you amnesia?

So where were you when Comrade Conroy tried to introduce press censorship?

There is an ethical requirement for journalists and papers to verify their information that they publish, however, there is no ethical prohibition for journalists or newspapers forming an opinion political or otherwise as long as they can justify it. (The ABC being a public service is supposed to provide balanced opinion which they ignore.)

SM
So you agree with unfettered media bias then? I am not sure what your views are based on your previous response. Writing an opinion piece is not the same as having headlings telling people which way to vote or dressing a leader as Hannibal Lecter. Hasbeen likes it for now but stance would be different if directed against Conservatives.

That is my biggest point, that this is not about party politics.

Some of you complain about ABC bias but it is more 'balanced' than Murdoch controlled press, if comments about ABC bias from both sides of politics is anything to go by. Comments on social media and other forums show Left and Right complaining about ABC bias. Funny when you think about it and says a lot about human nature.

On the importance of offending, and sucking it up, Richard King has a new book out, from which this is an extract:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/defending-the-right-to-offend/story-fn9n8gph-1226701456062

May we all go on offending each other, it's vital for democracy.

Cheers :)

Joe

Some of you have heard this before, so pardon me while I let the others in on a secret.
Many years ago my son started work at the ABC as a technical officier.
A friend who already worked there advised him to keep quiet if he voted
liberal if he wanted to make a career in the ABC.
At the time he left that was still the case.

The saying there is only Liberal voters are in the closet at the ABC.
The queers and "progressives" are out in the open and running the place.

BTW, when did the tag progressives get put onto lefties, greenies and
such like ?
Exactly what is the meaning of the word in that context ?
It certainly is not the dictionary meaning.

Pelican,

If you read the Newscorp papers you will still find plenty of opinion pieces that are less than glowing assessments of the coalition, so the bias is far from unfettered. The reports are still factually accurate, and so the ethical requirements are largely met.

I have also seen plenty of over the top cartoons of Abbott. As for Dudd, how else would you draw a cartoon of a man that is nasty to the people who work for him? Most readers are grown up enough to differentiate symbolism from reality. I think you are being a little precious about this.

As for the call to "get rid of this mob" I can't think of anyone more dangerous to free speech in Australia than the Labor party.