Murdoch's paper the Australian on Thursday put the fires on page 4 giving puff pieces like an 'exclusive' interview with Peter Ridd of the Barrier Reef fame.

Such media manipulation by the Murdoch press is not new but this effort to downplay the calamitous fires threatening so much of the country, either to take heat away from the global warming aspect or from a PM who is very much in Murdoch's pocket, is really concerning for our democracy.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/04/the-australian-murdoch-owned-newspaper-accused-of-downplaying-bushfires-in-favour-of-picnic-races

A left looney, rubbishing the Murdoch press, with references from the looney left Guardian.

No matter how tragic situations are, people not directly affected - the majority - become fatigued, and the press knows this: life goes on, there are other things happening, and it is totally unrealistic for any one subject to be on the front page for longer than a week or so. It's the news cycle.

I'm currently watching the 7 news, and have just been regaled with images of a fire truck driver, unprovoked, leaning out of his vehicle asking the TV crew to tell the Prime Minister to get f...... People are out of control.

There is ample coverage on TV. And you know the toughest, bravest, most stoic people at the moment - the actual victims. Don't insult them with your petty virtue-signaling banality.

The interesting thing about this post, now I've checked it, is that it is completely false. On Thursday The Australian had "Police push for remote booze bans" as the most prominent article in the top left-hand corner, and beside it, with a large picture in the top right-hand column is an article entitled "Death toll rises as troops prepare for emergency evacuations by sea".

The other headlines on the front page were "Taxman takes aim at SMSF auditors", "N Korea ends nuclear pact", "ABC faces apology demand", with a subsidiary heading on the main bushfire story of "Devastation after the flames retreat".

I'm used to a certain level of dishonesty from Steele, but this one takes the cake. There was a climate change story on page 1 on Tuesday, but it wasn't about Peter Ridd.

In any case, making a news decision about what people want to read is not "manipulation", it is a core business of journalists. If Steele thinks he could do better then he should start his own newspaper. Alleging a conspiracy because of a difference of opinion is all too-common on the left, but I guess to be expected when everything is seen through the prism of class, or group interest - the only people attracted to those sorts of explanations are slightly paranoid to start with. (BTW you can check Oz front pages at https://theaustralian.digitaleditions.com.au/index.php?silentlogin=1

Depends on which edition that Steele got.

The PM is getting unfair flak, the armed forces are now involved and should have been in there sooner but the States didn't ask for assistance because none of them want to admit that they need assistance, so it takes a few deaths before pride takes second place.

Some good news from Kangaroo Island. The pure Ligurian bee hives were evacuated. Alas, one third of the island has been burnt out, including a luxury holiday resort facing the Southern Ocean. As KI relies entirely on primary production and tourism for its income, the road to recovery will be long and painful.

Thanks for bothering to check the facts Graham. It often exposes Steelie pushing his narrative with fake news.

Dear Graham Young,

Permit me to try your approach in framing my response and see how it looks. Mind you it is certainly not how I would have written it but it is worth the exercise.

Start

Well look here, true to form, Graham Young has come in swinging with another falsehood. He somehow claims there was a picture accompanying the story about evacuations in Thursday's edition of the Australian. Yet all he had to do was to open the reference I clearly provided and look at the graphic used by the Guardian which included the page in question and he would have seen no such photo existed. The question becomes did he wilfully ignore the link or the graphic. Protecting the Liberal brand seems to ride roughshod over other considerations.

Finish

A tad unedifying isn't it.

Setting this aside and returning to the substance of your response to me, from what Is Mise has indicated there may well have been a later version which you are describing, and from the link you provided this would seem to be the case. But it doesn't allow you to lay a charge of saying the Guardian article was completely false at all.

Finally, I would like to hear from you any examples which would back up this assertion from you;

“I'm used to a certain level of dishonesty from Steele.”

Steele a right wing bias is evident on this chat site, something that we should expect, considering the moderator is a politically active conservative. You asked; I would like to hear from you any examples which would back up this assertion from you; (that) “I'm used to a certain level of dishonesty from Steele.” You may get an answer, you may not, but don't hold your breath.

The ABC coverage of this bushfire disaster has been first class. The Murdoch rag, who cares, it appeals to the bottom dellers and knuckle draggers. What they read is the guff that Murdoch feeds them, and they are well satisfied.

Did anyone see the crass political advertising by Morrison, at taxpayers expense, on social media of his great efforts in dealing with this fire disaster? It was released shortly after his very late announcement of federal government action to assist the states in dealing with the disaster.

Morrison has shown himself to be a part of the problem, rather than anything to do with the solution. Trying to paint himself as a super hero when he is no such thing, shows what a dunce we have for a Prime Minister. The front line troops recognise it, now the people are starting to recognise it as well.

Thoroughgoing ratbag and ignoramus, Jeremy Clarkson, advises that "God didn't want people to live in Australia". He doesn't believe in the climate change theory, and thinks "something biblical is going on". At least he got the climate change nonsense right. Act of God/biblical/not fit for human habitation? It's a bit late that sort of conjecture.

Other ignoramuses closer to home, including failed PM and killer pink bats man, Kevin Rudd, are "slamming" Morrison's announcement that he is putting 3,000 military reservists into the field. That's political advertising, they yap. Not that the Left's constant criticism of the man is political, of course! These fires have brought out the very worst in the Australian looney Left. We don't need some Pommy peanut like Clarkson making stupid comments while we have these trashy locals.

As regards bias, Morrison went on a holiday and he was condemned, Anna, the Queensland Premier, went on a holiday and virtually no one said a word.

Which of the two had more responsibility in the fighting of bushfires?

Now the Daily Mail, another online foreign newspaper we could do without, along with The Guardian, is sneering at Morrison (one idiot suggesting he is not even human) for donating only one bag of groceries in a fire-ravaged country town. A personal thing that he did himself, worth about $70. Nothing to do with the government. How much money do they think the PM carries around? How much have his scumbag Left critics donated?

Dear Paul1405,

The site has become less about the churn of ideas and more about partisan sport.

I'm happy to deal with either but generally take my cue from whoever starts the thread.

This one was in response to the constant carping about leftwing bias in the media. I could have been a little more circumspect about the detail as it was the pictorial coverage which was my intended focus. But accuracy hasn't been the standout in attacks on the ABC either.

We have some pretty unsavoury types kicking around here now who would love the place to themselves without people like you and I. The snide celebratory carry on when Foxy felt she needed to step away is a case in point. It wouldn't have taken much to have this place a bit more inclusive but hey, that's the nature of politics now I suppose.

I use to enjoy being prompted to do better research so I could confidently participate in debate on informative topics on OLO. Now all we do is react against unsubstantiated opinion pieces and feed the chooks.

It is fast food rather than a sit down meal, but horses for courses so to speak.

It's a national newspaper. I've referred you to the site where you can see the editions. No doubt, in the freak circumstances that The Australian has somehow produced a one-off Steele specific edition, Steele can take a photo of the front page, upload it to some social media site and then send us the link.

As for other dishonesty from Steele, on the religious freedom thread that I started he claimed that the legislation would allow someone to abuse a customer on the basis of their religious beliefs. This is not true and I said that at the time, but didn't come back to the thread until much later, so let it lie.

You can go to the explanatory document at:
https://www.ag.gov.au/Consultations/Documents/religious-freedom-bills-second-draft/religious-freedom-reforms-outline-of-the-bills.docx and on page 8 find the following paragraph:

"However, this provision does not protect statements that are malicious, would harass, threaten, seriously intimidate or vilify a person or group or which advocate for the commission of a serious criminal offence. Accordingly, this provision will not affect federal, state or territory protections against harassment, vilification and incitement to hatred or violence. "

Steele has been dishonest about The Australian and also about the Religious Discrimination bill, but rather than apologise, he always doubles down as he is doing here. I don't apologise for calling him out.

There is some idea that this is a matter of ideology, but unless you believe that believing in truthfulness is only a value specific to some ideologies, and not a universal value, it is hard to see how you could make that out. If it is just a "right wing" value, then that is the way we should all be voting. I'm happy to be "right wing" if it means I care about facts and honesty.

Dear GrahamY,

I will yet again refer you to the link to the article I quoted from in my original post. Here it is again;

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/04/the-australian-murdoch-owned-newspaper-accused-of-downplaying-bushfires-in-favour-of-picnic-races

In fact since here is a direct link to the image only. You will see the Australian's front page surrounded by a border of blue.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jan/04/the-australian-murdoch-owned-newspaper-accused-of-downplaying-bushfires-in-favour-of-picnic-races#img-1

Is your revulsion of anything you deem left wing media rendering you incapable of simply clicking the link? It is pretty sad if that is the case. But failing to do so and then claiming I have made it up is certainly dishonesty from you.

Now for some reason I was pretty sure you would bring up the religious discrimination thread as your example. You did appear to have your nose seriously out of joint on that one.

Well let's see what I did say rather than what you have conjured up.

“So does it become abuse when the woman behind the counter at the motor registration branch informs every single mother that in her opinion single mother are leading sinful lives? Or the disability support worker telling each of their clients that in his opinion their disability is from the devil?”

Under the new law can the employers of these people still censure or even sack them for expressing their 'religious' beliefs in public?

Steele's post refers to 'The Australian' front page Thursday 2nd January, where as the link provided by GY is the front page of 'The Weekend Australian' Saturday/Sunday 4th/5th January.

From 'The Guardian' 4th January, the article in part, "Many of the world’s leading mastheads featured pictures of the devastation of the Australian bushfires on page one on Thursday (2nd January) ". 'The Australian' prominent headline for that day as shown in 'The Guardian' article was 'Secret police bid to ban booze' with a featured photo, and one smaller photo, on the front page being from the New Years Day Hanging Rock picnic races. There was a lesser article titled 'Fire total at eight as troops prepare for evacuation' but there was no accompanying photo. The mastheads for the day in question, from seven other leading world newspapers all showed photos and stories about the bushfires, but not Murdoch's 'The Australian'.

The distortion is by whom? Clearly its by GY. Unless there is a missing link showing a different digital front page for 'The Australian' Thursday 2nd January.

I find it hard to believe that posters spouting Left propaganda think that referring to sources where the same propaganda comes from will convince others to believe them.

Can anyone really be that dumb?

ttbn, would not try to convince you of anything, you are to far gone, and are totally unbelievable. Spoon fed what you need to know by the likes of 'Beat Up' Bolt, Piers Akerman and the Jones Boy. The excuse from Murdoch HQ for the manipulation of news was its holiday season and we are under resourced.

Oh dear.

Where there's smoke there's fire. and where there is propaganda there is a newspaper.

Thank you Murdoch, for giving the rotting dead the will to live, go on and never die!

It's good news week.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4KzGKnuUuc

Dan

As far as I am concerned, Mise who claims

"The PM is getting unfair flack",

the PM is coping everything he deserves.

Paul,

My comments were not directed at you; you are of no significance other than as a spear carrier for the likes of the thankfully departed Foxy, Mr. Big Head, and now the exceptionally arrogant SteeleReduxe. Your lack of intellectual rigour, even common sense, is axiomatic.

People who allow the gutter press to do their thinking for them - even help out by passing on wild rubbish - are nincompoops; the same applies to disciples of what passes for conservative media.

We were each given a brain to study wisdom passed down over two millennia, on top of what ancient philosophers provided. But, today's nincompoops are slaves to the twenty four hour news cycle pumped out by wannabe sages, employed by a printed media on its last legs because it has veered away from its purpose - reporting- to pontificating and trying to tell the public what to think.

Editorialising and opinion used to be left to editors and columnists. Now, every two bit scribbler, barely able to use his or her own language, is an expert, a philosopher

Finally, we get down to social media, where some poster repeats this rubbish as though he was quoting from the Bible, then argues the toss with the editor/coordinator who attempts to introduce some truth and integrity.

The PM is certainly being treated unfairly; stupidly so.

Those ignorant people who need to play the blame game should, if they think their hysteria will help, direct the blame to state premiers - the ones actually responsible for firefighting in their states; the ones responsible for lack of land management that has intensified fires since they backed downed to Green interference in clearing and burning off.

SR,

I think that Graham has got your number. Your only excuse is that you echoed the lie put forward by the far left whinge rag the guardian. That the photo from the guardian clearly showed the Australian front page article on the fires makes it even more ludicrous.

Secondly that the Guardian claims moral superiority on the base that it almost completely filled its front page with a stock photo is a joke and is probably due to it having a lack of any other real news.

The amazing lack of knowledge of the emergency management structure
is something that will need attention.
The ridiculous criticism of the PM over the announcement of the Federal
government setting up a new organisation was amazing.
Anyone with any nous would know that the PM has to first inform the State Premiers.
He does not run around telling public servants first.
Where the PM can be criticised is that he did not give enough time for
the information to be disseminated by the Premier.
The TV is always on in Emergency Management Control centres so they
saw the public announcement and got their knickers in a twist.
The announcement does not have an immeadiate affect as most defense
assets were already in the field and the 3000 would take a day or two
to be organised.
They will not be firefighters but will be organised for the recovery.
Still, you don't criticise the commissioner as he is under significant
strain and may have been up all night. Reading between the lines I
think he understood the situation.

Every District and Local area has an Emergency Management Committee
which does not control Response function as that is the job or
whichever combat organisation is activated.
Currently it is the RFS.
There is a Disaster Plan, known as Displan.
It has three components, Preparation, Response ans Recovery.
We are currently mostly in Response mode but starting to activate recovery.
The committees provide anything the combat organisation requests,
food, buses for evacuation, communications support, such as the
organisation to which I belong that has sent a small team to Bega to
provide communication services.

It is a bit like a swan, gliding along on the surface but a hive of activity underneath.
Most of the activity never gets seen on TV.

Speaking of the current confusion and lies about climate change and bushfires, and what is to be done, economist and commentator, Peter Smith, writes that "idiots" and "charlatans" should not get a seat at the table.

"Idiots are those who, for example, blame Australia’s bushfires on climate change or, even more idiotically, who blame Scott Morrison because we haven’t done enough in Australia to reduce our CO2 emissions. These people are truly half-wits."

"Charlatans are those who make up facts to suit their purpose. They are not limited to but include all Greens, all socialists and all those making money from climate-change alarmism."

Not the sort of thing you will see printed in the Left gutter press or mentioned on the ABC.

Dear Bazz,

Why are you defending this bloke?

He said it was fine that he went off on his holiday while the country burnt saying "I don't hold a hose, mate, and I don't sit in a control room" all while happily ensconced in Hawaii.

Yet now that he has been forced back there are far more ADF assets which are under his direct control being deployed, he has announced payment relief for firefights and now called up thousands of reservists to assist.

Well mate, it is one or the other. He is a joke.

The Police have charged over 200 people with arson and cautioned about 50 people with illegally lighting fires. We do not have a Climate Crisis that causes fires; we have an arson crisis of mentally deranged people. This has been Australia's Twin Towers moment. Fires have been used to destroy property, native wildlife, businesses and struggling farms. This is intended to break the spirit of Australians; and wait; there will be new proposals by the Greens and left to introduce Marxist Socialism. Under their proposal; Let us have a new Marxist Republican constitution and the Government look after our lives that is why we have the expressed hatred of Scott Morrison who is conservative right.

I don't think Morrison can call up army or any reservists to fight fires. I believe the articles reservists sign allow call up only in the event of war.

My son is a navy reservist, & has been asked if he would like to volunteer. He has expertise in the high speed landing craft used by our amphibious ships Canberra & Adelaide, which will likely be used for rescue or to supply coastal towns cut off at the moment.

There is no call up as such, & I doubt there will be for navy. Perhaps the rules are different for army, but I doubt it.

This is how the Adelaide Imam sees the Islam and the fires.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=maharani.koen%2fvideos&view=detail&mid=688BCD66403B5BA86B3F688BCD66403B5BA86B3F&FORM=VIRE

the fires certainly makes you realise how horrendous hell is. Thank God He sent Jesus to save those willing to repent.

"This is how the Adelaide Imam sees the Islam and the fires."

Really Father Joe, You post a 3 year old YouTube on the subject of radicals within Islam wanting to establish a religious state within Australia, and claim it has something to do with the current bushfires. It appears you are more deceitful than radical Muslims.

"the fires certainly makes you realise how horrendous hell is." Tell us runner, I'm sure you visit the place often enough.

Peter Smith wants only the "idiots" and "charlatans" whose views align with his at any discussions concerning the bushfires. With a "No Nasty People Allowed" sign on the door. If Morrison chairs the meeting it should be a short one, order of business; Item 1. Nothing to see here. Item 2 meeting closed. Good old Pete should come down to OLO, we have plenty of idiots and charlatans whose views align with his, isn't that right ttbn?

Bazz, with all those people charge with arson, can you let us know if any are Muslim? if there is I'm sure you will.

runner,

It's easy to see Christianity comes from ancient Greek roots. After all Jesus is a demigod born of God in the same way Herakles is a demigod born of Zeus. Both are renowned for great feats. And I could just go on and on but I really think I would be wasting my time because only a handful of people on this website ever understand what I have to say.

After being exposed, the number one protagonist who claimed its all a lie has seemingly done the bolt.

Claiming; "Steele has been dishonest about The Australian" is blatantly untrue, and the the dishonesty if any lies with GrahamY, who rushed in within hours of the opening post to claim it was all lies, but rather than apologise, well unfortunately he is nowhere to be seen some days later.

Paul, that's what zealots, spin doctors and politicians never do - apologise. Wasn't it Maggie Thatcher who said "Never apologise"? It's an attribute this vile excuse for a government and its supporters has perfected. We need to lower our expectations of them, and then remind them very loudly (as you have done) that they have failed.

Dear Josephus,

You wrote;

"The Police have charged over 200 people with arson and cautioned about 50 people with illegally lighting fires. We do not have a Climate Crisis that causes fires; we have an arson crisis of mentally deranged people."

Which was an absolute crock of lies.

Where are you getting this stuff? Pulling it out of your arse? Most of the fires through his period are from lightening strikes. I don't know of any of the major fires around Christmas being lit by an arsonist.

We have come to expect utter garbage from you but this is on another level. Made up drivel.

Unfortunately Steele the climate deniers will go to any lengths, tell any lie they can to deflect from the real causes of bushfires at this time. As of yesterday 21 people have been charged with arson offences since the bushfires began. Not the 200 Fr Joe and the Murdoch gutter press would have us believe. A large number have been cautioned, over such things as lighting a backyard BBQ on a total fire ban day.

Just like the dill brain from the Liberal Party on the 'Drum' who claimed it was the Greens who are against controlled burns to achieve hazard reduction. When it was pointed out that it is indeed Greens policy to support hazard reduction burns, she claimed "Well it used to be their policy, I think." What a bimbo.

The facts are in the winter of 2016 when Sydney was chocked for 4 days with smoke due to controlled burns, people were up in arms and the National Parks and CFA people were the big nasties for polluting their fair city, according to the right wing radio shock jocks!

State governments, with federal assistance, will have to look closely at how much they allocate for front line services that are needed to help with both prevention (controlled burns are but one item) and response management to crises situations with bushfires. There is no question that it is going to cost a lot more in the future if we are going to tackle bushfires effectively. Enquires into the whole system of bushfire control is need, and need quickly.

will be interesting to how climate policy will play out in coalition govt in next three year election cycle.

What i got from liberal leadership in last week on tv, was a clear statement that global warming was linked to greater human activity. Was i wrong?

Hi Chris,

I would think ScumO' will be hoping for a "Nothing to see here policy" on climate change. Push the line that the his government is "exceeding" all expectations, You asked for one plane, I gave you four!

Paul,

" When it was pointed out that it is indeed Greens policy to support hazard reduction burns,she claimed "Well it used to be their policy, I think." What a bimbo."

It is indeed Greens policy to support hazard reduction burns, hurriedly put in place after they were so roundly condemned for being against such burns prior to the Black Saturday fires in Victoria when over 170 people lost their lives.

Still, better late than never; it will be interesting to see the reaction of Green controlled councils in future.

Dear Paul,

What I find rather disconcerting is that someone like Josephus, apparently a self avowed Christian has so little regard for the truth that he would propagate the rubbish with gay abandon.

It is all crap.

"Victoria police say there is no evidence any of the devastating bushfires in the state were caused by arson, contrary to the spread of global disinformation exaggerating arsonist arrests during the current crisis."
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/08/police-contradict-claims-spread-online-exaggerating-arsons-role-in-australian-bushfires

People like he are really not worthy of the name.

Paul,

I think if Australia was to choose to do much more about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the first pivotal event will be the Liberal/Nationbal coalition party to state the link between human activity and global warming.

I know it is a view held by the Young Liberals leadership.

As it stands, there remains a lot of division. Hence, SCo MO goes slow mo not to alienate his support and create open warfare within the party.

I have sympathy for this reality. That is politics.

AS i am a longstanding believer in the link between human activity and greenhouse emissions, i would imagine the next step for centre-right parties, should they ever accept the link, would be how to show how the transition can boost the economy.

I expect the NSW govt to lead the way, however.

Issy, creating another of your infamous porkies I see;

"It is indeed Greens policy to support hazard reduction burns, hurriedly put in place after they were so roundly condemned for being against such burns prior to the Black Saturday fires in Victoria when over 170 people lost their lives."

A total lie Issy, a figment of your imagination, I've caught you out once more.....lying! I say produce the evidence!

What is Shooters and Hooters Party policy on fire prevention, I can't find a single word, please enlighten?

Paul,

Somewhere I have the Greens old policy printed out but I won't bother to look for it.
The evidence was plastered all over the Net after the inquiry into the Black Saturday fires, you have a convenient memory.

I remember well the bloke who cleared all the trees and scrub away from his house and was fined by the Greens dominated local council, his home survived when almost all those around him were destroyed.

Might I remind you of the Green's Mayor of Glen Innes who lost a house in the recent fire that wiped out the Wytaliba commune of which she is a member?

She was running around like a heedless chook blaming climate change when she and her fellow communists were told long ago that they'd be burned out if they lived among the gum trees.

It wasn't climate change but good old obstinate stupidity that caused their losses, unfortunately, one of them was burned to death.

So, no evidence Issy!

I hereby award Is Mise; PORKY AWARD first class with bar, for claiming Greens had a policy of no controlled burns in 2009. This is Issy's third PORKY for 2020, and the year is only 9 days old! Shocking!

BTW; When the Black Saturday fires occurred in Victoria it was the Brumby Labor government in charges. The Greens have never been in government ever in the state of Victoria.

BBTW; Where is that Shooters and Hooters Party policy I asked for? If it don't include shooting something dead, then Issy's party don't have a policy for it! Correct

Paul,

That the greens have long been actively campaigning against back burning and fuel reduction is well known and is largely why their popularity in rural areas is comparable to herpes.

Porky Paul,

What is the point of giving you evidence?
You asked for it when I said that Greens MsP were liars and perjurers for swearing allegiance to the Queen whilst openly advocating a republic.

I gave you the evidence which was in the Greens stated policy, you ignored it.

Then as now, you are fully aware of what the Greens policy was and is.

As to the SF&Fs Party on bushfires, it is and has been to support the Government policy, just as most of the rest of the people do, and this is something that you already know; so Porky Paul stop lying by innuendo.