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The News of the World phone hacking scandal has now led to the closure of the newspaper after 168 years in print.
What does this mean for journalists? And, does the apology from Rupert Murdoch really carry any weight?
I followed up my earlier report, by speaking with media ethicist Dr Leslie Cannold about the broader implications of the scandal on journalism.
Listen to, or download the podcast here.
Hackers have entered the mainstream hacking the fox news account and announcing the death of President Obama. But hacking can be have very serious consequences.
Check out the report here.
"The Big Ticket" Kevin Garnett. Some rights reserved by Keith Allison.
With the NBA lockout in full effect, the last thing on the mind of most NBA fans is possible trades.
The Boston Celtics, however, are one of the former playoff teams possibly heading for a tumultuous period. Danny Ainge has played in an ageing team and suffered because of a hesitant General Manager – hopefully this means he won’t be to concerned about pulling the trigger on tough trades.
Most of the trade rumours lately revolving around the Celtics have been about Kevin Garnett and/or Ray Allen, but this is definitely not the right way to go about rebuilding this team.
Garnett provides younger talents with a bar to reach for, even though his skills are declining his on-court intensity and leadership are second to none. While Garnett will make a lot of money this year, the Celtics will likely resign him at a veteran minimum. Value for money.
Allen is a player who is defying age and has a few years left as a starter and a few more as a bench player. His steady hand and focus are invaluable, particularly in a leadership role as the team will no doubt be getting younger.
So what can Boston do to become more attractive in the 2012 free-agent sweepstakes?
Take a risk.
Superstar point guard Chris Paul. Some rights reserved by Keith Allison.
Ainge has said no player on the roster is untouchable, but has also said trading Rondo is probably not the way the team will go. This seems to be a mistake as he is the only player on the team with incredible value.
The best option would be a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Hornets for star point guard Chris Paul. Rondo is on a great contract and Paul is leaving the Big Easy once his contract is over, we may have to throw in Jeff Green but no real loss there.
If Boston were to secure Paul as the point guard of the future they have the player who is arguably the best point guard in the league and are now in the right position to make a play for the best center in the game: Dwight Howard.
The most dominant center in the NBA today. Some rights reserved by Keith Allison.
One of the big questions of next year’s free agency is whether Orlando will trade away Howard, or wait to see if he resigns with them – an increasingly unpopular choice in a post ‘The Decision’ world.
If Dwight goes to free agency a Boston team with Paul as Point Guard could be a very attractive option, they will have the cap space to pay him the big bucks and he will finally be part of what would be the scariest team in the league.
Imagine facing a starting five of Chris Paul, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard. Two stars in their prime and a host of quality veterans. Tough to find a chink in the armour.
But in the more likely scenario of Orlando shopping D12 around, can Boston put together a package?
If Boston resigns Big Baby Davis (a signing only worth it if he is being used as trade bait), then packages him with veteran Jermaine O’Neal and maybe a pick or a young player like Avery Bradley we might be in the game. Remember this is Orlando.
This all may be greatly unlikely, but Danny Ainge is one of the most active GM’s in the sport and a Boston fan can dream.
The News of the World phone hacking scandal has shaken the media community and left people wondering about how accountable journalists are when they break the law to get a story.
I did this report on Panorama with Hayley Crane. Listen here.
Of course it is slightly out of date, with Murdoch shutting the paper down.
Panorama did a special on education, for which I spoke to Stephen, a teacher, who reflected on the issues with the education system and what needs to be done to fix it.
FINAL Stephen on teaching
On education, watch this video on creativity and the modern education system.
This story originally appeared in the Border Mail.
A WODONGA refugee family’s attempts to convince some Australians about the harsh life faced by asylum seekers will feature in a documentary this week.
The Masudi family — mother Maisara, father Bahati and their children — came to Australia in 2009 after spending nine years in a Kenyan refugee camp.
They tell their story in Go Back to Where You Came From which will screen on SBS television over three nights from tomorrow at 8.30pm.
Three people with differing views about asylum seekers stay with the Masudi family, before going to the refugee camp where the family had previously lived.
“The first day it was very difficult, I didn’t know them, they didn’t know me. The second day it was a little better and by the third day it was all good,” Mr Masudi said of the experience.
He said the show was “important because it will educate people and make a difference in people’s lives”.
Mrs Masudi believes the documentary has the power to change the way people think about refugees.
“I think it will change the way people think, if the right people see it,” she said.
Now a La Trobe University student, Mr Masudi, 42, worked as a hotel manager and part-time politician in his native Burundi.
Mr Masudi said engaging the community was the key to ending racism.
“In 2009 when we first came here they started bullying my children, but they are involved in the community now and play soccer and it doesn’t happen any more,” he said.
Wodonga Council will host a special event from 7.30pm tomorrow to coincide with the TV show.
There will be food prepared by the refugees.
Mental illness affects one in five Australians at some point in their lives and people aged between 18 to 24 are the largest group affected.
Both federal Labor and Liberal are taking the issue seriously.
I spoke with Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler and Opposition spokesperson for Mental Health Concetta Fierravanti-Wells for Panorama.
Listen here.
In part one of Panorama’s look into what depression is, speaking to a doctor and a sufferer.
Eight hundred thousand Australians are diagnosed with depression each year, and the World Health Organisation has predicted by 2020 depression will be the second biggest health problem in the world, behind only heart disease.
Samantha Lowcock and Matt Dawson report.
Listen to the audio here.
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A quarter of the victims of sex attacks were aged between 10 and 14, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
I analysed this data and much more in a short discussion with Fiona Dowsley of the ABS.
(Link)
Melbourne University. Some rights reserved by Geoff Penaluna
A bad headline for an interesting story…
According to a new study one in three students more than a year into their degree are considering dropping out.
I spoke with Hamish Coates, Research Director Higher Education at ACER, about the reasons behind this and what universities can do to get more students to graduate.
(Link)