Fact-checking under fire, media freedom, and Forrest vs Facebook
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Saturday Apr 13
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This week at Crikey we looked at what Donald Trump's election would mean for AUKUS critics, tracked Twiggy Forrest’s dogged pursuit of Facebook, and exclusively revealed a media freedom proposal being mulled over by MPs.

Elsewhere we made sense of the never-ending fallout from Bruce Lehrmann's defamation case, explaining who's who, what the likely outcomes are, and exactly how the shitshow has touched every media outlet in the nation from the ABC to The Australian.

Plus Australia's latest culture war import puts us all in danger.

We hope you're having a delightful weekend.
Gina Rushton Gina Rushton,
Editor
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If Lehrmann wins, he may still lose: here’s what Justice Lee will be weighing up
MICHAEL BRADLEY

The Bruce Lehrmann defamation circus is preparing to take down its tent ahead of Justice Lee's verdict. But what are the possible outcomes?

Bruce Lehrmann (Image: AAP/Bianca De Marchi)
 
Let’s be sceptical of the right-wing culture war on fact-checkers 
GINA RUSHTON

I’ve seen the rigour of fact-check organisations. It it is a more trustworthy process than whatever produced the IPA's delusional new report.

The IPA’s methodology in its report on fact-checking is beyond flawed (Image: Adobe)
 
Trump presents a historic opportunity for the left and AUKUS critics
BERNARD KEANE

If Donald Trump is reelected US president in November, it will deliver a gift to those who want greater distance between Australia and the US.

Former US president Donald Trump (Image: EPA/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH)
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The Coalition is siding with a foreign power that murdered an Australian
BERNARD KEANE

Labor is slowly edging towards rejecting Israel’s explanation of an Australian aid worker's murder. But the Coalition is uninterested in accountability.

Shadow foreign affairs minister Simon Birmingham and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
 
THE JACQUI LAMBIE EXPERIENCE
Garlands and bows or Lambies to the slaughter in Tasmania?
GUY RUNDLE

With a whopping 11 representatives on the crossbench, Labor's refusal of power is denying the historic moment that's arisen.

Senator Jacqui Lambie, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff, and Tasmanian Labor leader nominee Dean Winter (Images: AAP)
Jacqui Lambie and her underlings could do big things for Tasmania. Instead they’re acting like Liberal fanboys
GUY RUNDLE

The JLN could have made real demands of Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Why didn't it?

Senator Jacqui Lambie (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
 
Which media companies have been caught up in the Bruce Lehrmann saga? 
DAANYAL SAEED

It's increasingly difficult to keep track of just how many media companies have been sucked into the 'radioactive snowball' that is the Lehrmann circus.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
 
Labor’s finally getting the message on Gaza. Muslim community candidates is the next step
GUY RUNDLE

Labor has taken its non-Anglo base for granted. Community candidates and supporting Greens in key seats will take the revolt further.

Anthony Albanese and Penny Wong (Image: AAP)
 
Proposed media freedom legislation gets ‘very enthusiastic’ response from MPs
DAANYAL SAEED

Exclusive: A proposal put together by the Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom has received a positive reception from government and crossbench MPs.

Journalist and press freedom advocate Peter Greste (Image: AAP/Lukas Coch)
 
An ex-SAS soldier has his sights on politics. But how do Chinese Australians feel about his new book?
WANNING SUN

Former Survivor winner and Liberal candidate for the Perth seat of Tangney Mark Wales has written a novel featuring a Chinese invasion of Australia. How will Chinese-Australian voters react?

Mark Wales (right) on Survivor (Image: Ten)
 
9 reasons why Richard Goyder should be voted out as Woodside chair
STEPHEN MAYNE

Stephen Mayne is likely the tallest, smallest activist shareholder of Woodside. Here's why he used his meagre nine shares to vote against Goyder's reelection.

Woodside chair Richard Goyder (Image: AAP/Mick Tsikas)
 
As Facebook seeks legal immunity, Forrest’s lawsuits reveal deep challenges
ALICE DAWKINS

Love him or loathe him, Twiggy Forrest's dogged pursuit of Facebook over its dodgy ads business is putting much-needed pressure on the government to act.

Andrew Forrest and Mark Zuckerberg (Images: Reuters, Sipa USA)