Andrew Bolt makes an important observation.

[jules]

This speaks for itself.

Moreover, what counts for far more than an election-eve editorial is the overall tenor of a paper’s coverage, from day-to-day politics to the arts.

blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/andrewbolt/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/fairfax_the_enemy_of_labor/

[Matthew Of Canberra]

He's right. And it's a lot easier than trying to spot which articles are supposed to BE the editorials. Yesterday's Oz article about the start of the carbon tax was outright campaigning, despite their alleged support for action on climate change.

[jules]

I get the feeling Andy is going for a job at fairfax with gusto at the moment. Maybe he thinks Gina won't censor him if he wants to rant about sensitive topics.

You're right tho. The overall tenor of the News ltd media is basically campaigning. It might seem like its for the opposition, but its probably against the govt, and they may claim they think the govt deserves to be campaigned against on general principles, not cos of self interest and a deal with the opposition. Which is how it seems to some of us out here in Readerland. But Andy's being kind of indiscreet isn't he? Isn't this admitting your bias? he's basically described a process:

To justify that first paragraph, Bramston goes on to cite Fairfax editorials recommending votes at elections. That wildly overstates the power of editorials and overlooks one powerful influence on them - the polls at the time. Moreover, what counts for far more than an election-eve editorial is the overall tenor of a paper’s coverage, from day-to-day politics to the arts.

From the link above.

Has he just given the game away?

Politically whats the tenor of the organisation he works for? What about his own blog?

I think it might be an idea to try and develop a scorecard to rate the "tenor" of bolt's blog and of News in general and various other media organisations. Don't ask me how, or whether I could actually read that much of what he said.

I spose at least he is upfront in the recognition of an agenda at news organisations.

[robj]

I get the feeling Andy is going for a job at fairfax

I think that's a given.... As soon as Rinehart secures her board seats.

[Matthew Of Canberra]

I'm making this one a generic bolta thread. Otherwise there'll be an explosion of the things, like rabbits.

February last year, andrew bolt asks the (no doubt) philosophical question:

blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/he_media_is_baying_for_the/

Some attacks on a faith are fine

The detail altered here is the word “Scientology”, which I’ve exchanged for “Islam”. Scientology indeed has questions to answer about the breakup of families and the apparent use of psychological manipulation of its members, although I have not done the research to establish guilt or innocence. But at least none of its members have been convicted of terrorism, called for terror attacks on Australians or its allies or formed bikie or drug gangs. Nor do they fill our jails out of proporation to the size of their community.

So the difference is...?

And only 14 or so months later, we find out the answer. The difference? Well, the difference is apparently "who says it"

blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/murdoch_vs_scientology/

Murdoch vs Scientology

I think the boss is having a lot of liberating fun with the tweeting. He would have made a great columnist for, say, the Daily Mail.

What makes these tweets particularly interesting is that Murdoch is, in fact, the boss of 20th Century Fox.

He's also your boss, which makes that difference in tone so much more interesting.

And a couple of comments about that original thread. No, I do not believe it was justified to claim that

There is a baying for the blood of Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi for saying this

There was no "blood" in that demand. Instead, it was a call for the liberals' parliamentary secretary to be somebody who understands that claiming

“Islam itself is the problem - it’s not Muslims,” ...

“Muslims are individuals that practise their faith in their own way, but Islam is a totalitarian, political and religious ideology.

“It tells people everything about how they need to conduct themselves, who they’re allowed to marry and how they’re allowed to treat other people.”

Doesn't fool anybody. As a political representative, cory bernardi makes a terrific shock jock.

[jules]

I do agree with Murdoch in this instance tho, and I were katie Holmes I'd be getting me kids out of the clutches of Scientology ASAP.

At the moment this board is a bit of a get bolt thing, its a good idea to consolidate all that Bolt stuff optherwise it'll just be everywhere.