Why do journalists get such a bad rap?

Maybe it’s because the best journalism is quietly admired, while the worst of it creates such an obnoxious stench and wrecks so many lives that it can’t (and shouldn’t) be ignored.

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph is in the stench-making, life-wrecking business. Its “world exclusive” front pages about allegations against Geoffrey Rush were sui generis: a beat-up of monumental proportions that will earn it a scurrilous place in journalism textbooks and cost it $2.9 million in damages and much more in legal costs.

You don’t often get to read how tabloid sausages are made (it’s not a pretty sight), but the Telegraph’s coverage of Rush motivated our Inq reporting team to reconstruct that ignominious story. Today’s Weekender is dedicated to their groundbreaking, ten-act series (alongside a pick of our best stories of the week), and you can listen to the four-part companion podcast series “Geoffrey Rush: Trial by Media” here, or on all good podcast platforms.

The Rush defamation saga created no winners and many losers, tarnished reputations and needlessly damaged lives. The reckless behaviour of a sleazy tabloid newspaper made sure of that.

It was indefensible journalism, legally and ethically.

On a lighter note, this week we wrapped up our first ever choose-what-you-pay campaign. We had set ourselves the lofty goal of finding 2000 new members and, thanks to the support of our readers, we welcomed nearly 2500 new members into the Crikey bunker.

Thank you to everyone who subscribed for the first time, signed up their friends and got the word out there. We couldn’t have done it without you

MARGOT SAVILLE 4 minute read

In its rush to snag a Me Too story, The Daily Telegraph set back the movement in Australia.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 4 minute read

The Daily Telegraph's recklessness in reporting on Geoffrey Rush has caused incalculable harm.

MADONNA KING 4 minute read

The Geoffrey Rush case has shown us once again that all forms of media — from tabloid to broadsheet — must be rigorous, careful and committed to the truth.

GEORGIA WILKINS 3 minute read

Why are the Nationals leading the charge on protecting the interests of the vaping industry?

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

There could be no better time than now to open our doors to Hong Kong people eager to flee the monstrous Beijing regime.

KISHOR NAPIER-RAMAN 3 minute read

Is SBS' staff diversity being reflected at the most senior levels of the broadcaster?

BERNARD KEANE 4 minute read

While neoliberals are celebrating 20 years of the GST, there's no evidence it delivered the kind of benefits promised at the time. And, as always, it reflects the power of vested interests.