Vivienne Pearson
@viviennepearson.bsky.social
Writer of opinion, features and content. Keep getting this platform mixed up with mastadon (which I can't seem to log into anymore). Based near Byron Bay, Australia.
Wow, no neck gap at all!!
me dressed up and exercising at the airport before my 8 hour flight
December 9, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Wow, no neck gap at all!!
I loved reading this piece from @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social about her son turning 18. Mine isn't quite up to that milestone but he did finish high school today, so there's that... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My son is turning 18 – and I am inexplicably sad | Zoe Williams
He is now an adult, so I have no right to dictate the state of his hair or his choice of diet. But I hadn’t expected this to be such an emotional wrench, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams
www.theguardian.com
October 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
I loved reading this piece from @zoesqwilliams.bsky.social about her son turning 18. Mine isn't quite up to that milestone but he did finish high school today, so there's that... www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This opinion piece feels a lot like whinging compared with all the *#%^ going on in the world … but I think fancy lights on cars are super distracting. Do you agree? www.news.com.au/technology/m...
www.news.com.au
October 26, 2025 at 5:46 AM
This opinion piece feels a lot like whinging compared with all the *#%^ going on in the world … but I think fancy lights on cars are super distracting. Do you agree? www.news.com.au/technology/m...
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
"This is not balance, unless we accept a world where truth is balanced by lies" is a pretty good encapsulation of the problem with most reporting these days.
October 10, 2025 at 12:13 AM
"This is not balance, unless we accept a world where truth is balanced by lies" is a pretty good encapsulation of the problem with most reporting these days.
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
These are only those confirmed dead. Unpardonable & inexcusable #ChildGenocide #IsraelWarCrimes #Gaza
October 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
These are only those confirmed dead. Unpardonable & inexcusable #ChildGenocide #IsraelWarCrimes #Gaza
Why such US focused and themed entertainment? After all, AFL is truely Australian. And local artists need work and exposure.
September 27, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Why such US focused and themed entertainment? After all, AFL is truely Australian. And local artists need work and exposure.
A video naming journalists killed in Gaza. Watch it once to dwell in the horror. Watch it again to see those in Australian media who abhor the impact on individuals, families, all in Gaza and the silencing of on-the-ground reporting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMq8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMq8...
Stop Killing Journalists
YouTube video by withMEAA
www.youtube.com
August 15, 2025 at 12:26 AM
A video naming journalists killed in Gaza. Watch it once to dwell in the horror. Watch it again to see those in Australian media who abhor the impact on individuals, families, all in Gaza and the silencing of on-the-ground reporting.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMq8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMq8...
It's not a good week for writers who enjoy and rely on festivals to share their work and ideas :(
August 14, 2025 at 11:58 PM
It's not a good week for writers who enjoy and rely on festivals to share their work and ideas :(
I feel this so much.
August 3, 2025 at 12:07 PM
I feel this so much.
Couldn't agree more. Why was the lead ABC TV news story about 'fears of a crush'? Sure, this is fine if a crush had happened, or even (perhaps) if it was aired before the march started. But, by 7pm, it was clear that there were no crushes, or any other problems with this march.
A bit perplexed at the headlines about today’s #marchforhumanity saying “perilous” and “police feared the worst”. Surely the story is that, in spite of police fears, the march was peaceful, demonstrators full of goodwill and happily cooperated with police instructions to manage the huge turnout.
August 3, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Couldn't agree more. Why was the lead ABC TV news story about 'fears of a crush'? Sure, this is fine if a crush had happened, or even (perhaps) if it was aired before the march started. But, by 7pm, it was clear that there were no crushes, or any other problems with this march.
They’re the best!
I'd forgotten how delicious McVittie's digestive biscuits are
June 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM
They’re the best!
My take on what to think (well, what I think) when a leader shows a hint of a likeable side. This piece features not only my writing but my first ever cartoon!
thebigsmoke.com.au/2025/05/09/w...
thebigsmoke.com.au/2025/05/09/w...
thebigsmoke.com.au
May 12, 2025 at 2:51 AM
My take on what to think (well, what I think) when a leader shows a hint of a likeable side. This piece features not only my writing but my first ever cartoon!
thebigsmoke.com.au/2025/05/09/w...
thebigsmoke.com.au/2025/05/09/w...
Nine reckons freelancers aren't that important to their business. This flick-through of Spectrum, with freelance contributions whited-out, screams otherwise.
If you haven't yet signed this petition, it's still open...
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
@withmeaa.bsky.social
If you haven't yet signed this petition, it's still open...
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
@withmeaa.bsky.social
April 16, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Nine reckons freelancers aren't that important to their business. This flick-through of Spectrum, with freelance contributions whited-out, screams otherwise.
If you haven't yet signed this petition, it's still open...
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
@withmeaa.bsky.social
If you haven't yet signed this petition, it's still open...
www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
@withmeaa.bsky.social
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
We have hit 1400+ signatures on this petition. It's public, anyone can sign. Would it not be nice to take it up to oooh say 3000 by Monday? Sign & share if you think Nine shld pay their journalists. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
#auspol #petition @withmeaa.bsky.social #media #election
#auspol #petition @withmeaa.bsky.social #media #election
Help freelancers at Nine Publishing win fair rates
Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives.
Despite this commitment, Nine management ha...
www.megaphone.org.au
April 5, 2025 at 3:28 AM
We have hit 1400+ signatures on this petition. It's public, anyone can sign. Would it not be nice to take it up to oooh say 3000 by Monday? Sign & share if you think Nine shld pay their journalists. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
#auspol #petition @withmeaa.bsky.social #media #election
#auspol #petition @withmeaa.bsky.social #media #election
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
Right now I'm grateful to be living in Australia and not that other place.
But then I remember we're having an election soon and at least one of the major parties wants to do everything that other place is doing.
But then I remember we're having an election soon and at least one of the major parties wants to do everything that other place is doing.
April 5, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Right now I'm grateful to be living in Australia and not that other place.
But then I remember we're having an election soon and at least one of the major parties wants to do everything that other place is doing.
But then I remember we're having an election soon and at least one of the major parties wants to do everything that other place is doing.
People are trying to make sense of these tariffs but this isn’t possible as they’re not based on logic. The tariffs are literally nonsense (non-sense).
April 4, 2025 at 2:47 AM
People are trying to make sense of these tariffs but this isn’t possible as they’re not based on logic. The tariffs are literally nonsense (non-sense).
Did you see this yesterday but not get around to signing? The petition is still active and has over 1200 signatures. Please consider adding yours!
If you'd prefer that another generation of freelancers don't get the same terrible treatment, please sign the @withmeaa.bsky.social petition www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Help freelancers at Nine Publishing win fair rates
Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives.
Despite this commitment, Nine management ha...
www.megaphone.org.au
April 3, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Did you see this yesterday but not get around to signing? The petition is still active and has over 1200 signatures. Please consider adding yours!
Totally agree. I don’t know much about tariffs but even I can see the ‘reciprocal’ term is being used incorrectly.
Can journalists please fricking stop calling them "reciprocal" tariffs. They are not reciprocal at all.
April 3, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Totally agree. I don’t know much about tariffs but even I can see the ‘reciprocal’ term is being used incorrectly.
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
Truly wish the world's media could be even half as outraged at Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, as they are at trade tariffs.
April 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Truly wish the world's media could be even half as outraged at Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, as they are at trade tariffs.
Boosting this petition - for better freelance rates and respect at Nine - for the late night Bskies. Could we get to 1500? www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
April 2, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Boosting this petition - for better freelance rates and respect at Nine - for the late night Bskies. Could we get to 1500? www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
An important cause - please sign! www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Help freelancers at Nine Publishing win fair rates
Off the back of strike action last year, Nine management committed to engage in discussions about freelance rates and conditions with MEAA representatives.
Despite this commitment, Nine management ha...
www.megaphone.org.au
April 2, 2025 at 1:22 AM
An important cause - please sign! www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
I started working at The Age in 2006, covering AFL in Queensland. I started on a retainer of $750/w. I finished at the end of last year - on exactly the same rate. I was let go after taking action via @withmeaa.bsky.social 🧵
April 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
I started working at The Age in 2006, covering AFL in Queensland. I started on a retainer of $750/w. I finished at the end of last year - on exactly the same rate. I was let go after taking action via @withmeaa.bsky.social 🧵
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
As a reader/subscriber, the money Nine mgmt makes off you is not going to staff or freelancers. Mgmt agreed to meet freelancers last year - they've not offered anything meaningful yet on rates. Pls sign & share this. Ask where your $ go if not to staff. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
April 1, 2025 at 11:02 PM
As a reader/subscriber, the money Nine mgmt makes off you is not going to staff or freelancers. Mgmt agreed to meet freelancers last year - they've not offered anything meaningful yet on rates. Pls sign & share this. Ask where your $ go if not to staff. www.megaphone.org.au/petitions/fr...
Reposted by Vivienne Pearson
So remember the strike at Nine newspapers last year? And how Nine agreed to negotiate a deal with freelancers as part of ending that action?
Well now they are trying to back away.
Freelance rates are still 72c which is what they were 20 years ago. And 72c is worth a LOT less now.
Well now they are trying to back away.
Freelance rates are still 72c which is what they were 20 years ago. And 72c is worth a LOT less now.
April 1, 2025 at 11:15 PM
So remember the strike at Nine newspapers last year? And how Nine agreed to negotiate a deal with freelancers as part of ending that action?
Well now they are trying to back away.
Freelance rates are still 72c which is what they were 20 years ago. And 72c is worth a LOT less now.
Well now they are trying to back away.
Freelance rates are still 72c which is what they were 20 years ago. And 72c is worth a LOT less now.