The late great novelist Toni Morrison said Americans used to be called “citizens” and now they’re called “taxpayers”, a term she said was designed to pit people against one another. Words mattered to her. When they change, they massage the realities of our day-to-day lives. Words matter to this government, too.

We reported that in Tuvalu this week they ran a red texta through “climate crisis”, switching in the phrase “climate change reality”. Scroll down and find out how the same government’s ministers are asking for a big black texta to go through the embarrassing and important work of media outlets prior to publication. Speaking of tricky language, you can also read Emily Watkins’ investigation into the world of unpaid work — or is that “shadow shifts”? — at ABC radio.

Lastly, moving from words to numbers, delve into recent polling data with Bernard Keane for INQ. Can it be trusted anymore?

As always, write to boss@crikey.com.au to let us know what you thought of the week’s news.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

As Scott Morrison showed in Tuvalu this week, language has always been central to the politics of climate change.

EMILY WATKINS 8 minute read

Despite doing their own investigative journalism into the shadowy world of unpaid work, the ABC has been found to be cutting corners on staff costs.

AMBER SCHULTZ 3 minute read

Given a custody decision affects children the most, wouldn’t it make sense to have them weigh in? Not according to the justice system.

CHRIS WOODS 4 minute read

Various media personalities are increasingly calling for action against News Corp, especially The Australian. Will their efforts bear fruit?

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

The failure of conservatives to condemn and punish the extreme right-wing is steadily coarsening Australian politics. The result will be similar to the gutter standards of the US.

RUBY HAMAD 4 minute read

People of colour, even famous and successful ones like Ben Simmons, are expected to keep their heads down — to serve, to soothe, to entertain. When they don’t, the backlash is so swift and so vicious it can be dizzying.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

If Australia were to lose half its independent pharmacists to chain replacements, GP visits would go up and actual patient care would go right down.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

Australians increasingly forego carrying cash and the government wants to crack down on it. But not everyone is happy about the pending cancellation of paper money.

ROSS MUELLER 3 minute read

Being on Newstart doesn't just mean poverty. It can also mean losing the opportunities to ever escape it.

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

Under a scheme floated by government MPs, journalists would have to allow the government to censor their work if they were to avoid being raided and prosecuted for leaked material.

CHRISTOPHER WARREN 3 minute read

Last month, the ACCC report on digital platforms recommended the government develop a 'platform-neutral regulatory framework' — but what does this mean and is it even possible?

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 4 minute read

Debate continues to rage over whether coverage of the Sydney knife attack was demonising both minorities and people with a mental illness.

JASON MURPHY 4 minute read

When will Australia's rate-cutting frenzy end? It all depends on this week's jobs figures.

GUY RUNDLE 4 minute read

The government's plan to reduce violence against women rests largely on promoting gender equality. But is that really enough?