Margaret Simons
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margaretsimons.bsky.social
Margaret Simons
@margaretsimons.bsky.social
3.7K followers 92 following 37 posts
Freelance journalist and writer. Honorary Principal Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne. More at www.margaretsimons.com.au
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Reposted by Margaret Simons
bernardzuel.bsky.social
@margaretsimons.bsky.social looking under the bonnet of a modern truth finally sinking in - the impotence of News Ltd - and beginning the discussion of what might matter & change things elsewhere.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
As Australia’s election result reminds us, News Corp no longer has the power to sway voters | Margaret Simons
The declining power of the Murdoch press is part of the wider story of the waning influence of mainstream media
www.theguardian.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this .What will Australian media look like in 2025? Messy and imperfect but with glimmers of hope | Meg Simons
December 22, 2024 at 12:21 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
We want what’s best for the Observer – and the Guardian. That’s why the deal with Tortoise makes sense | Ole Jacob Sunde
The world’s oldest Sunday paper must have resources, a modern strategy and a new focus to thrive. This agreement guarantees all three, says Ole Jacob Sunde, chair of the Scott Trust
www.theguardian.com
December 7, 2024 at 7:40 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/media/2024/d...
Sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media agreed in principle
Scott Trust will become a key shareholder and take a seat on both the editorial and commercial boards of the company
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Reposted by Margaret Simons
timdunlop.bsky.social
The Tanya Plibersek bio by @margaretsimons.bsky.social provides some background on the PM's latest intervention re the nature positive legislation:
During research for this book, in late 2021 and early 2022, I was told Plibersek was ‘in the naughty corner’ with Albanese, now leader of the party, and his allies. He was ‘looking over his shoulder’ at her, it was said – and it is true that in 2021, when Albanese was well behind in the polls, said not to be able to ‘cut through’, some of her allies were urging her to consider challenging him for the leadership. In 2020 she edited a book, Upturn, a compilation of essays by policy thinkers about how to return to ‘a better normal’ after the Covid-19 pandemic.28 This, I was told, was seen by the Albanese team as a provocative act. In the 2022 election campaign, despite being shadow minister for education – an area full of opportunity for Labor after a decade of Coalition neglect – Plibersek was kept largely out of sight, until the media began to comment on her absence. And after the election victory, Albanese surprised her by taking the education and women’s portfolios away from her and giving her environment and water instead. The media was full of discussion about whether she had been demoted or not. Environment and water are both important jobs, but the fact that it was a demotion in terms of cabinet ranking is indisputable. In interviews for this book, I asked Tanya the same question that Middleton asked Albanese. Was he her mentor or her contemporary? She responded that after their brief acquaintance when she was a teenager, she hadn’t had a lot to do with Albanese until she was working for Childs. She is sure Childs would have asked Albanese’s opinion before he hired her. After that, they had more to do with each other. They agreed on fundamental values, including feminism, the anti-nuclear movement and Aboriginal land rights. So, mentor or contemporary? ‘Well, he’s not that much older than me. I would say more contemporary. But we have different ways of working. He has always been more interested in and better at the internal politics of the Labor Party. And I’v…
November 28, 2024 at 11:38 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me in @themonthly.bsky.social on autocracy, liberalism, democracy as exemplified by the story of Leila de Lima www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2024/d...
Shades of democracy
Former Philippines senator Leila de Lima, imprisoned for nearly seven years during Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs”, on her hopes for democratic reform
www.themonthly.com.au
November 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM
Reposted by Margaret Simons
marquelawyers.com.au
It is true that the sub judice contempt rule needs to be reformed as it is out of step with modern digital reality, however in the meantime the best way to ensure Alan Jones gets a trial at all (let alone a fair one) is to shut up about the criminal charges against him.
November 18, 2024 at 2:14 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
March 1, 2024 at 11:40 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
My gardening column. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/gardeni...
November 10, 2023 at 10:46 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
New from me, fresh back from the Philippines. insidestory.org.au/rodrigo-dute...
November 1, 2023 at 4:02 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this in the UK @guardianaustralia.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/news/2023/oc...
October 26, 2023 at 7:47 AM
Reposted by Margaret Simons
bsky.app
Just published on our blog: Bluesky for Journalists FAQ

This page also includes a link to a waitlist form for journalists, so members of the press no longer have to email our press inbox for a code.

We appreciate everyone's help sharing this information!
Bluesky for Journalists
blueskyweb.xyz
October 13, 2023 at 10:57 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on the Murray Darling Basin Plan in @saturdaypaper www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environ...
October 14, 2023 at 2:18 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
This is awesome. www.theage.com.au/culture/book...
October 2, 2023 at 5:27 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Yes times a billion. Constantly shocked by how this ignorance/blind spot skews research findings.
October 2, 2023 at 3:53 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
October 2, 2023 at 3:52 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Amazing
September 30, 2023 at 11:12 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
My gardening column. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/life/gardeni...
September 30, 2023 at 11:12 PM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
September 24, 2023 at 5:27 AM
Reposted by Margaret Simons
nickevershed.bsky.social
Ok I have hand-crafted a feed for AUSTRALIAN MEDIA people on bluesky, mostly journalists*, which you can subscribe to:

bsky.app/profile/did:...

pleas give it a like if you think it is useful, please @ me if you want to be added

*may include traces of cartoonists
September 22, 2023 at 12:58 AM
Reposted by Margaret Simons
gabriellecj.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Guardian Australia health callout: have you been denied service in an Australian hospital? Share you...
Medical facilities receiving public funding may be opting out of providing services on religious or other grounds. Tell us your experience
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2023 at 5:38 AM
margaretsimons.bsky.social
Me on this. www.theguardian.com/media/2023/s...
September 22, 2023 at 10:29 PM