Welcome to Crikey Weekender

There’s been plenty of talk in recent days about the role of media in the coronavirus crisis, and much talk about what constitutes an essential service in these extraordinary times.

So, please allow me to speak plainly: an independent, Australian-owned media company such as Private Media is an essential service.

Why? Because:

• It is essential that we report without fear or favour
• It is essential that skilled journalists — and analysts — keep asking and answering difficult questions
• It is essential that we respond to what you want and need to know.

So, we’re asking something from you: let us know what you want to know — and what we can and should do better.

We are fighting to survive these times. All our staff and management are making sacrifices and changes: we’ve created a popular new newsletter, COVID-19 Watch, and put Bernard Keane’s Side View on ice.

(Please don’t worry: we’ve haven’t iced Bernard himself. He’s still an integral part of what we do, and we hope to have Side View back soon.)

This crisis will cut hard and deep but one day it will be over.

What will be left? What do you want to be left?

I know what I want to see: I want to see a thriving, independent and robust Australian-owned news media. I want to see governments, authorities and those will power held to account. I want to see the media held to account too.

Demand for what we do is running high. Thank you. You can help us even more by encouraging others to subscribe.

Crikey is 20 years old this year. We have every intention for being round for many, many years to come.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

US media and politics shape Australia's politics, and the coronavirus data shows we're now paying the price.

CHARLIE LEWIS 3 minute read

With everyone locked down inside, what's it like on the usually-busy streets of Melbourne's inner city?

ANDREW P STREET 4 minute read

Cruise giants are left marooned, travel restrictions affect abortion access, and Thailand says no to April Fools. In a jam-packed week, here are the stories you may have missed.

AMBER SCHULTZ 4 minute read

Advocates say the disability sector has been largely ignored in government plans to combat coronavirus. The ramifications could be deadly.

AMBER SCHULTZ 3 minute read

New Zealand has released the modelling it used to decide how to tackle the coronavirus spread — we look at how it can apply to Australia.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 3 minute read

Around the world, patients and doctors battling COVID-19 are telling stories of what it's really like to have the disease.

TOBY RALPH 4 minute read

You're not the only one struggling to keep up with the coronavirus crisis.

AMBER SCHULTZ 4 minute read

Experts fear the coronavirus crisis could lead to a spike in overdoses, relapses and a host of other problems for illicit drug users.

STEPHEN MAYNE 4 minute read

With Virgin looking for a $1.4 billion bailout, here's how the government might go about it.

NICK CARR 3 minute read

A clash in state and federal laws means doctors who are self-isolating because of COVID-19 are unable to assist terminally ill patients seeking to end their lives.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

It's now time to stand up for the stackers and packers, and other essentials, working amid multiple disease vectors.