Crikey has had a big week, its biggest in its 22-year history.

We invited Lachlan Murdoch to make good on his threats to sue us over a story by Bernard Keane, which discussed the role of the Murdoch family’s Fox News in the January 6 insurrection in Washington DC. After we published an open letter to Mr Murdoch in The New York Times and The Canberra Times, he issued a writ. Yesterday, we launched a crowdfunding campaign to assist our defence.

There has been plenty of commentary about Crikey v Murdoch here and in the United States, where the role of Fox News in the Capitol riots and the spreading of Trump’s lies is robustly debated. Sadly, in Australia we run smack into the country’s defamation laws. That is our central point: we should be able to discuss such matters without being threatened by a writ.

Murdoch’s legal team suggests we are only doing this to boost subscriptions. Well, if people wish to support Crikey, then please take out a subscription — we welcome you with open arms. But that is not why we are doing it. We believe in free speech and a free press.

As you’d expect, Crikey has published plenty of articles about the matter this week. Here is a curated selection.

PETER FRAY and WILL HAYWARD 2 minute read

People have asked us how they can support our defamation battle against Lachlan Murdoch. Donate today to our GoFundMe.

KEVIN RUDD 5 minute read

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd says Lachlan Murdoch's lawsuit against Crikey raises 'more questions than it answers' — and he encourages Australians to donate to the Crikey Defence Fund.

AMBER SCHULTZ 3 minute read

Two successive governments have not formally responded to the eight-month-old media diversity committee report.

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

If it's true that the three most powerful people in the government met with Lachlan Murdoch on Wednesday, what does that say about lobbying and influence in Australia?

BERNARD KEANE 3 minute read

The part played by the Murdochs and Fox News in the events of January 6 2021 is a crucial matter of public interest. Why should that be off limits?

ERIC BEECHER 5 minute read

Today Crikey is publishing a series of lengthy legal demands by Lachlan Murdoch's lawyers. Here's why.

CRIKEY 1 minute read

In letter one, Lachlan Murdoch's lawyer issues Crikey a concerns notice over an allegedly defamatory article. He requests immediate deletion and publication of an apology that will remain visible for 14 days.

ERIC BEECHER and PETER FRAY 1 minute read

Lachlan Murdoch has claimed he intends to take court action to resolve a defamation allegation against Crikey. We await your writ.

MICHAEL BRADLEY 5 minute read

Changes to defamation law in Australia are supposed to give publishers a 'public interest' defence. But no one wants to be the test case.

WILL HAYWARD 3 minute read

CEO Will Hayward explains why Crikey isn't backing down in the face of legal threats from Lachlan Murdoch.

DAVID HARDAKER 3 minute read

The vice-regal office is usually exempt from explaining its actions and decisions, but the Morrison ministries scandal has it under new scrutiny.

MADONNA KING 4 minute read

The education of young Australians sits at a crisis point. But it also presents the government with an opportunity to not only teach but inspire future generations.

LESLIE CANNOLD 3 minute read

The Australian media’s sustained attention on the many ministries of Scott Morrison is good for democracy. It needs to call for a royal commission — now.

CAM WILSON 3 minute read

Clare O'Neil used TikTok as recently as 20 May, despite fears about the app's data security practices and its links to the Chinese government.

JULIA BERGIN 4 minute read

While the country's official unemployment figure is at a record low, both employers and workers are wrestling with a variety of problems.