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The Men Who Killed the News
The inside story of how media moguls abused their power, manipulated the truth and distorted democracy
Table of Contents
About The Book
Crikey owner and ex-News Corp and Fairfax editor lifts the lid on the abuse of power by media moguls – from William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk – and on his own unique experience of working for (and being sued by) the Murdochs.
What’s gone wrong with our media? The answer: its owners. From William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk, from the British press barons to colonial upstarts Conrad Black and Rupert Murdoch, media proprietors have manipulated the news to accumulate wealth and influence as they meddled with democracy.
Eric Beecher knows the news business from bottom to top. He has been a journalist, editor and media proprietor (of Text Media and Crikey), with the rare distinction of having both worked for and been sued (unsuccessfully) by the Murdochs.
This book reveals the distorted role of the media moguls of the past two centuries: their techniques, strategies, behind-closed-doors machinations, and indulgent lifestyles. It explains how they have exploited the shield of the freedom of the press to undermine journalism – and truth.
In an era of fake news, AI and misinformation, this is democracy’s chillingly important story: how a small coterie of flawed and narcissistic moguls created a shadow of power that has contributed to making the media an agent of mistrust.
Product Details
- Publisher: Scribner Australia (July 31, 2024)
- Length: 416 pages
- ISBN13: 9781761428043
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Raves and Reviews
‘In a pacey compression of press history going back to the late 19th century, Beecher vividly illustrates how newspaper moguls … have cynically debased the profession of journalism in pursuit of wealth and power … The Men Who Killed the News is a book for the times.’
– The Conversation
‘A witty and absorbing Decline and Fall for a media era that has destroyed itself.’
– Virginia Trioli
‘The Men Who Killed the News is one of the most important books published here in many years. It should be read by everyone who is interested in a civil society.’
– Mark Rubbo, Readings online
'A globally important book'
– Alan Kohler
'Brilliant'
– Mike Carlton, author of Dive!
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Men Who Killed the News Trade Paperback 9781761428043
- Author Photo (jpg): Eric Beecher Supplied by the author(0.1 MB)
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