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Big money and the media — opinions for hire

By Natalie Zirngast The Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) inquiry into the "cash for comments" scandal involving 2UE's shock jocks John Laws and Alan Jones has the rest of the Australian media running scared. Alan Kohler commented in the

SA union secretary resigns

SA union secretary resigns By Bronwen Beechey ADELAIDE — Paul Noack resigned as the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) South Australian branch secretary on October 29. Noack's resignation followed a meeting of the AMWU's federal

Government slashes funding to green groups

Government slashes funding to green groups By Jim Green On November 8, the federal government announced another round of funding cuts to environment groups. The government's funding program, which totals $1.65 million, will now include grants to

Budiman Sujatmiko likely to be freed soon

Budiman Sujatmiko likely to be freed soon By Max Lane The Indonesian People's Representative Council (DPR) is likely to recommend the release of at least 44 political prisoners, including People's Democratic Party (PRD) chairperson Budiman

Zimbabwe court ends women's rights

By Sue Njanji Matetakufa HARARE — More than six months after Zimbabwe's Supreme Court shocked equal rights campaigners worldwide by relegating African women to the status of "junior males" within the family, many Zimbabweans are worried about the

The dictatorship of US$ and Wall Street

The dictatorship of US$ and Wall Street The Global Gamble: Washington's Faustian Bid for World DominanceBy Peter GowanVerso, 1999320 pp., $39.95 Review by Eva Cheng Guns and tanks are usually very visible, but those who control the world also do

Establishment media on racist rampage

By Rohan Pearce and Nikki Ulasowski HOBART — Recent articles in the Murdoch-owned Mercury are an example of how the media can reinforce racist myths and whip up nationalism. The government's crackdown on "boat people" has been an excuse for the

Gay and lesbian pride springs out

Gay and lesbian pride springs out By Kim Bullimore and Simon Tayler CANBERRA — The ACT's first Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival — Spring Out — included a rally and march on November 13, attended by 300 people. The rally was addressed by,

Write on: letters to the editor

Vegetarianism I was disappointed to read an article (GLW #383) condemning vegetarianism as politically specious. It is divisive to do so, considering that there are a lot of vegetarians in social change movements, and "splitting the camp" is surely

Colombian guerillas hold out for justice

By Raul Cienfuegos There has been much discussion in Colombia about the "peace" dialogue between the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People's Army (FARC-EP) and the government. After decades of unsuccessfully trying to wipe out left-wing

Hospital strike ends in victory

By Grant Coleman PERTH — After striking for 96 hours, hospital worker members of the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union have won a 5% pay rise and are now entering into arbitration. Five hundred orderlies, caterers and patient

Government backs away from nuclear reactor rhetoric

Government backs away from nuclear reactor rhetoric By Jim Green When the federal government decided to fund the construction of a new nuclear "research" reactor in 1997, it faced a difficult public relations exercise. The government decided to