sydney alternative media - non-profit community independent trustworthy

Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Other micro news community media websites go into a lull?
Mood:

quizzical
Topic: independent media

We've been worried for a while about the indy media websites network. Our little SAM micro news is a complement. But a while back Melb stop taking news posts. We started SAM when Sydney went down for many weeks prior to the 2007 state election.

Now we read Sydney is down again. Meanwhile the ABC has boosted it's web presence with "The Drum" which itself responds to "The Punch" out of News Corp which really are both rips of Crikey.com.au, and the more centre lefty version New Matilda.

Our old employer Alternative Media Group/City Hub/Bondi View/City News is still in there pitching (with a good new website by the looks) as well as Green Left Weekly with their ideological oomph.

However the links at the left column for Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Arafura, Darwin official indymedia are all down now. That's pretty sad but maybe standard evolution of fringe to mainstream succession. Perth however, befitting their resource power house economy are still going strong. Thank heaven for that.

Posted by editor at 8:41 AM EADT

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Saturday, 5 December 2009

Did SAM micro news lock in the wall to wall puppet theme in big press?
Mood:

quizzical
Topic: independent media

Sometimes we wonder if we are behind, in the middle or in front of the Big Media. Thursday night was one of those 'in the middle' experiences.

We had spent the day at Macquarie St picking up the vibe and watching question time. We listened intently to ABC radio news bulletins on the rail in, and back to the Hawkesbury.

As the 6.30 pm spill was scheduled to proceed we reached back into our Non Govt experience to note KKK - Premier Kristine Kerscher Keneally - was hopelessly compromised on the Port Botany expansion Commission of Inquiry of 2004-2005. In her own portside electorate of Heffron no less. We quoted chapter and verse of now retired Planning Commissioner Kevin Cleland.

Here is the story headline, and date stamp:

Arguably the importance of the SAM story was due to editors and journalists considering in real time Thursday night how to follow up the scorching speech of deposed Premier Nathan Rees for their Friday 4th December editions. If they had an RSS feed or whatever they would have the evidence via SAM of the finance and policy link Tripodi to Keneally at Port Botany Commission of Inquiry finding.

Only now do we realise that the article we grabbed from our photo file was via the Wall Street Journal/Domestic News Corp adding to the credibility, complete with the reference to Tripodi and Sartor in our handwriting back in January 2009.

Our recent posts on political stories from Canberra question time on location might have added to the cred too.

Then notice this headline with the same "meet" headline angle in the SMH following day 5th December 2009:

Get it? SAM writes 'KKK meet C'er Cleland'. Then SMH writes 'meet .....'

Perhaps it's our imagination. In any case the puppet theme is well entrenched mainly from deposed premier Rees speech the day before. As Richard Glover the arvo of 4 Dec 09 called it "burning the barns ad salting the fields" colourful metaphor.

But the rock solid evidence of motive putting Tripodi as Ports Minister and financing KKK in 2003 together with developer vested interest over expansion of Port Botany in her own electorate, makes clear they are politically linked for all time. KKK no doubt like everyone remembers who got them a start in their career [witness First Dog on Crikey 4th Dec to his departed editor Jonathan Green yesterday in a beautiful cartoon]. And fact is the strings are there whether she feels the pull or not. As GK Chesterton refers to Catholicsim - a string that lets you wander to the end of the earth and return to your master's side with one tug.

The front pages in Big Media got it right and so did the ex Premier.

This image that ran on 7.30 Report last Thursday night showed Tripodi was subdued - as he was in question time 2-3pm from our own eye witness in the public gallery.

But not Eddie Obeid who was in high spirits as shown above far right.

Interesting because after the Iemma dispatch in 2008 from the premiership Tripodi appeared to be bubbling over (see below via footage shown last night by 7.30 also):

Not to forget the golden rule of ALP and other aparatchiks - an effective machine moves "silently". Eric Roozendaal said that. It's wrong but they believe it. A good machine should work quietly but detectable to monitor it's workings, and never silently because that gives no clue as to its efficacy. It's called transparency in civil society.

However on the body language that we saw via Big Media yesterday, and viewed ourselves in parliamentary question time, we would say Tripodi is really sad, aggrieved even, and Obeid who is in high spirits has primarily run this destruction of Rees? So who is behind Obeid? Stewart and behind him Keating? One does wonder. We rule out Carr because he was in group pic endorsing Rees only weeks ago. That leaves deafening silence of Keating.

Posted by editor at 7:20 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 6 December 2009 10:26 AM EADT

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Thursday, 19 November 2009

Free speech for tree chippers but not green activists in South East NSW?
Mood:

hug me
Topic: independent media

Quite a disjunction in these two stories over the cultural values around democratic free speech in lead up to inaugural Bega Festival:

#1 of 2

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/16/2744117.htm

Back flip on wood chip festival ban

Posted Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:05pm AEDT

A festival committee on the New South Wales far south coast has backed down over a decision to ban the region's big timber processing company from attending a Clean Energy Expo.

Last week, the Bega Festival Committee barred Eden's South East Fibre Exports company from distributing information about its proposed biomass electricity generator that will use wood waste as fuel.

The decision brought a community backlash, including the Bega Chamber of Commerce and the anti-logging group Chip-Stop, saying the move was stifling free speech.

But the Founder of the Clean Energy for Eternity movement, Matthew Nott, says the chip mill has taken up a new invitation to be part of the community celebration.

"I am quite keen to get South East Fire Exports to the Clean Energy Expo," he said.

"I have had a couple of chats with Vince Phillips from South East Fibre Exports over the weekend.

"He and I are both happy to get South East Fibre Exports to the Clean Energy Expo.

"I think it is a good opportunity for Fibre Exports to present their case."

#2 of 2

Anti-woodchip signs go

Conservationists are annoyed that the Bega Valley Shire Council has used ratepayer funded resources to remove anti-woodchipping signs from the Bermagui Tathra road at Wapengo.
The signs have hung for over a year from trees high above the approaches to each side of the Wapengo Bridge.
They highlighted the threat of logging koala habitat in Mumbulla forest, part of the Wapengo catchment.
Greens Councillor, Keith Hughes is seeking details of the costs born by ratepayers from the Council.
“These signs were securely and safely erected and carried an important message for visitors,” he said.
Chipstop convener, Ms Harriett Swift, who raised the matter of the signs at a public forum of Council this afternoon (Tuesday), said that censorship is no way to win an argument.
“Residents and visitors to the area have a right to know what is going on in the region’s forests,” she said.
Forests NSW have indicated that logging of Mumbulla Forest is likely to start early in the New Year.

Photo caption: one of the signs from Wapengo bridge removed by Council

Contact:
Keith Hughes, Harriett Swift 0414908997, 64923267

19 November 2009

SAY "NO" TO WOODCHIP POWER. Sign the on line petition at: http://www.gopetition.com.au/petitions/say-no-to-woodchip-power.html

............

abc reportage here

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/19/2747149.htm?site=southeastnsw

The Bega Valley Shire Council on the New South Wales far south coast has removed illegal anti-logging signs near Bermagui, prompting a back-lash from conservationists.

Two signs placed by anti-chip campaigners in trees a year ago on the Bermagui to Tathra Road, at Wapengo, were designed to draw the attention of tourists to logging in native forests and its effects on the region's bio-diversity.

Greens Councillor Keith Hughes concedes the signs were erected without a development application but says other groups have been allowed to keep their signs.

"Some forests have prescriptions where they try and make the logging less visible from the road but apart from that narrow visual protection strip, people aren't aware of the intensity of the logging that's just out of sight," he said.

"People drive along that road and it's a beautiful stretch of road.

"It's good to inform them about what's happening out of site but not far away."

Posted by editor at 10:48 AM EADT

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Friday, 6 November 2009

Crikey's Poll Bludger goes nuclear on latest Newspoll analysis
Mood:

surprised
Topic: independent media

Forget ABC Q & A clunky interactivity on Big Old Media. We saw the Establishment being paraded - again. Boilerplate posturing as usual.

If you really want a piercing commentary and analysis of the latest 'shocking newspoll' 7 points change around from ALP to Coalition with Greens no change, then go to Crikey.com.au Poll Bludger.

For educational purposes we read 550 comments on Tuesday, comments added since last Monday night. A which point we started going a bit mad. We noticed it was up to 950 yesterday morning. We well expect it over 1,000 today.

And once you weed out a few nongs and ideological comments and synthesise all the comments, it's very deep analysis. Maybe we have this synthesis approach down pat. Either way it's far more satisfying media experience to understand the truth of the Newspoll result which is driving most of the politics this week.

Better than Q & A last night, or naive questions on abc Cameron morning show cross to Alison Carabine, as enjoyable as those segments are.

Posted by editor at 9:45 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 6 November 2009 9:48 AM EADT

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Friday, 9 October 2009

Censored on Rooted blog out of Crikey Big Blog, sigh
Mood:

incredulous
Topic: independent media

Censorship is a curious beast. It appears amongst surprising folks you would never think for good or ill motives.

Yesterday we had cause to correspond with the Crikey editor re this irregularity below, and today our entries on Rooted are deleted, not simply 'awaiting moderation'. We give one paranoid explanation below - but if there is a more ethical explanation we would be interested to know. By the by we have that deed of settlement in the NSW Supreme Court in reserve for a suitable time, never web published and it's a cracker given we doubt any individual has successfully sued their own peak green group before in the history of Australia for maladministration if not corrupt behaviour. Embarrassing? You bet:

From: Ecology Action To: Jonathan Green
Sent: Thursday, October 08, 2009 4:47 PM
Subject: Rooted blog, blocked comment 1st Oct story - unwarranted

It may not be great grammar but the gist is there October 1 article.
Any chance of unblocking my comment (?) which was also copied onto a Bernard Keane string already - no worries there. What is the problem with Hepburn I wonder? Or is he wanting to use the intel and not spill the beans to the enemy?
For your information - on the paranoid side of things - I quit FoE Australia after busting my guts 7 years when he was still involved in Brisbane FoE about 2002.
I had cause to sue FoE Sydney Inc for trying to bully me out of my residential/commercial lease in 2003 and failing to honour their financial debt to me. It was in the NSW Supreme Court and I kicked their lazy dishonest backside where they paid my costs, backed off my lease and agreed to a derisory $50 a week rent - the savings I sent to a green campaign in Chile - $15K worth. Indeed the cheap rent was essential to that public interest agenda that FoE Sydney wanted to sabotage. A campaign that stopped a US $3B hydro smelter disaster for coastal fjordlands, 3 rivers a lake and 10K ha of virgin forest. Pathetic worms.
They wanted a confidentiality agreement. No way. They didn't even submit evidence despite having a big city law firm on pro bono while I was self represented. Never were such a perverse rump of by then backwater of the green movement so undeserving of legal help.
Hepburn however is a talent and industrious. It would be a shame if he is prejudiced on your public forum totally unrelated to past discipline.
On the other hand if he is going to censor me I might as well know.
Yours truly
Tom McLoughlin
..........................................

Here is the post as it appeared on another section of the Crikey discussion list but which was most appropriate in the dedicated environmental sub section called Rooted. People should know and judge for themselves:

In Turnbull's high stakes gamble – Crikey 2 Oct 2009
Tom McLoughlin
Posted Friday, 2 October 2009 at 1:44 pm | Permalink
I commented yesterday on the Rooted blog, which curiously remains under moderation while being very moderate in content. The view underpins the real economic threat to Australia of dithering on climate regarding re-insurance sector, which all business depnends on in a rule of law context:
“As extreme weather affects more of the western developed economies the re-insurance industry will continue to ramp up the compulsory costs of insurance for any industry sector not seen to be mitigating climate change. At some point whole sectors or even countries’ balance sheet will be pushed off their insurance profile for just being hostile to long term financial health.
Australia is surely rushing into that scenario and Malcolm Turnbull for one would be smart enough after HIH to know how disruptive that would be for big business behind the Liberal Party or Lablibs for that matter. Neither can afford that to happen in their career span.
So it’s not just the Sarkozy threat of carbon tariffs on foreign (to EU buyer) products and services originating beyond their (my term) ‘credible climate mitigation programme’ (ccmp), but also the global re-insurance industry setting those [rogue] sectors ‘ legally adrift so that they can’t get OH&S or public liability or fire or any insurance whatsover. In other words send them into the liability wilderness just like the HIH fiasco did to numerous small business, builders [through no fault of their own].
Sure China or India etc may buy ‘black’ [rogue] coal outside a ccmp, even more so if they buy up the [means of] production here, but who will provide the insurance to operate such a plant? My guess even if China or India buy the local resource with FIRB approval, unless the Australian Govt abdicates sovereignty of select economic geographical zones (and thus application of domestic labour and safety laws), not even a foreign owner will be able to operate WITHOUT INSURANCE.
Indeed nothing happens in business without insurance, not even King coal power stations. Just ask Esso. [Meaning Longford Vic disaster multi million dollar public liability, workers killed etc].

Posted by editor at 11:11 AM NZT

Updated: Friday, 9 October 2009 12:09 PM NZT

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Tuesday, 6 October 2009

SAM micro news pageview stats for Sept 2009 - 19,132
Mood:

flirty
Topic: independent media

Looks like SAM news blog is back on mains power after going wild for 6 months. Hopefully our productivity, interest and utility for diverse readers will increase accordingly. Time will tell.

Previous monthly reader pageview figures for 2007, 2008 verified by screen shot (web host provider monthly pageview account details) checked and posted on or about 4th day of the month found in this thread:

September 2009 - 19,132
August 2009 - 22,072 (host metric, not screenshot)
July 2009 - 18,293 (host metric, not screenshot)
June 2009 - 29,165 (host metric, not screenshot)
May 2009 - 32,125 (host metrics, not screenshot)
April 2009 - 23,421 (host metrics, not screenshot)
March 2009 - 34,255
February 2009 - 23,208
January 2009 - 27,462
December 08 - 21,858
November 08 - unavailable, host breakdown
October 08 - 20,343
September 08 - 20,746
August 08 - 25,344
July 08 - 22,855
June 08 - 27,440
May 08 - 25,046
April 08 - 19,250
March 08 - 20,803
February 08 - 13,109
January 2008 - 19, 898
December - 11,627
November - 10,220
October - 9, 100
Sept - 8,100 roughly, no screenshot
August - 8,845
July - 7475
June - 9675
May - 9, 059
April - 12,087
March - 6,684
February - 5,372
January 07 - 2800 (3rd Jan - 3rd Feb 07)

Posted by editor at 6:19 PM NZT

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Thursday, 11 June 2009

SAM micro news pageview stats bounce around in relocation
Mood:

incredulous
Topic: independent media

The editor of Sydney Alternative Media has been experiencing the northern suburbs of Sydney commute since mid April 2009. Only in our case in reverse from Marrickville of the Inner West to the Hawkesbury/Hills district.

As a result of this relocation and clean up work of a rural block leased by a disabled colleague we haven't been as assiduous as usual in reporting readership statistics, or indeed posting much more than our regular Sunday political talkies once a week to keep our eye in.

Our understanding is we dropped in April 09 to about 23K pageviews, and then in May back up to 32,125. On June 10 we noticed this, in quite a bounce back despite lack of new postings:

We put this bounce back in statistics to a few factors without being absolutely sure: We posted 2 links onto well read crikey.com.au recently with original material for their readership. One was our reportage of censorship attempt at the Sydney Writers Festival in 2008 following the Guy Rundle article of 2009.

The second link recently was about the martyrdom of Nigerian writer Ken Saro-wiwa (senior) which issue we have followed for a good 10 years or so now including interview with a refugee here of eye witness accounts of oil indusry disgrace in the Niger Delta there.

In addition we had a sabotage incident of our computer in May deleting some technical files and 3 months of email. Our investigations might have stirred up some interest in the SAM micro news website. We would also like to think we have some political insights that are of regular interest via Sunday Political Talkies - an acquired taste, not an easy read, given the James Joyce style free flow of (political) consciousness: The main utility is probably the synthesis into one pithy headline.

We have many more stories to post but continue to implement our relocation into the fresh air of the Sydney fringe. Until then stay tuned.

Previous monthly reader pageview figures for 2007, 2008 verified by screen shot (web host provider monthly pageview account details) posted on or about 4th day of the month found in this thread:

May 2009 - 32,125 (host metrics, not screenshot)
April 2009 - 23,421 (host metrics, not screenshot)
March 2009 - 34,255
February 2009 - 23,208
January 2009 - 27,462
December 08 - 21,858
November 08 - unavailable, host breakdown
October 08 - 20,343
September 08 - 20,746
August 08 - 25,344
July 08 - 22,855
June 08 - 27,440
May 08 - 25,046
April 08 - 19,250
March 08 - 20,803
February 08 - 13,109
January 2008 - 19, 898
December - 11,627
November - 10,220
October - 9, 100
Sept - 8,100 roughly, no screenshot
August - 8,845
July - 7475
June - 9675
May - 9, 059
April - 12,087
March - 6,684
February - 5,372
January 07 - 2800 3rd Jan - 3rd Feb 07

Posted by editor at 9:03 AM NZT

Updated: Thursday, 11 June 2009 9:32 AM NZT

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Sunday, 5 April 2009

SAM micro news pageview stats jump 40pc in March 09 off a low base - 34,255
Mood:

special
Topic: independent media

Screen shot above taken on 5th April accurate to the 3rd of that month according to the host metrics, which is our usual time of the month for this post. 10K jump in reader figures this month, that's fully 40% increase - so might pay to analyse which stories took off (when we have the time).

Our guess Chinese Govt duchessing here which has global appeal, including USA where bloggers are more widely read (we have a USA host server too).

Previous monthly reader pageview figures for 2007, 2008 verified by screen shot (web host provider monthly pageview account details) posted on or about 4th day of the month found in this thread:

March 2009 - 34,255
February 2009 - 23,208
January 2009 - 27,462
December 08 - 21,858
November 08 - unavailable, host breakdown
October 08 - 20,343
September 08 - 20,746
August 08 - 25,344
July 08 - 22,855
June 08 - 27,440
May 08 - 25,046
April 08 - 19,250
March 08 - 20,803
February 08 - 13,109
January 2008 - 19, 898
December - 11,627
November - 10,220
October - 9, 100
Sept - 8,100 roughly, no screenshot
August - 8,845
July - 7475
June - 9675
May - 9, 059
April - 12,087
March - 6,684
February - 5,372
January 07 - 2800 3rd Jan - 3rd Feb 07

Posted by editor at 10:27 AM NZT

Updated: Sunday, 5 April 2009 1:03 PM NZT

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Friday, 6 March 2009

SAM micro news website pageview stats for February 2009 - 23,208
Topic: independent media

Screen shot above taken on 5th March accurate to the 3rd of March according to the host metrics, which is our usual time of the month for this post. Fairly happy with consistency of reader figures. Could go sensational and bring them up, but we prefer the echo chamber approach into Big Media thinking on our genuine merits, not manipulation of the public's knee jerk emotions. That's good for peace of mind.

Usually we like to traverse significant stories for the past month with inside comments but that will have to wait - perhaps in an edit on the weekend.

Previous monthly reader pageview figures for 2007, 2008 verified by screen shot (web host provider monthly pageview account details) posted on or about 4th day of the month found in this thread:

February 2009 - 23,208
January 2009 - 27,462
December 08 - 21,858
November 08 - unavailable, host breakdown
October 08 - 20,343
September 08 - 20,746
August 08 - 25,344
July 08 - 22,855
June 08 - 27,440
May 08 - 25,046
April 08 - 19,250
March 08 - 20,803
February 08 - 13,109
January 2008 - 19, 898
December - 11,627
November - 10,220
October - 9, 100
Sept - 8,100 roughly, no screenshot
August - 8,845
July - 7475
June - 9675
May - 9, 059
April - 12,087
March - 6,684
February - 5,372
January 07 - 2800 3rd Jan - 3rd Feb 07

Posted by editor at 10:52 AM EADT

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Friday, 6 February 2009

SAM live work office space looking for new home by 14 April 2009
Topic: independent media

Picture: Non digital SAM files, aka bed base.

Our live work base has never been so pleasant. The pumpkin patch is going gangbusters. The back shed is functional churning out repaired items. The neighbours are putting out the bins. And quiet. The co-joined backyards are flowering. The washing machine hasn't needed a fix for months.

We hear above the rampart that the global financial emergency is a chance for re-organisation. The glass is half full. I'm an optimist. Seize the day. Etc etc. Which is how we take the news yesterday of having to move. We have got a little bored here after 2 1/2 years on a rediculous $120 a week. Our last move found this great place so maybe it can happen again. And the thing about a web focused publishing operation is that it doesn't really matter where you are located. However what to do with 5 filing cabinets? Mmm. True we will miss the local shopkeepers. That's a bit sad.

SAM website is looking for our next home base. We issued this yesterday test the social capital out there:

Call for expressions of interest to start a greenie share house somewhere close by.

So much for the federal stimulus package ? my place is now being renovated by the owner and I?m looking to reboot by 14 April 2009. That?s just after Easter. If you are quiet, responsible, into composting, smoke somewhere else or not at all, and have at least $100 a week to contribute and four weeks bond I?m interested.

I?m a dedicated media/political analyst, web publisher, non smoker or drinker, lawyer, vocational activist, into Gandhi philosophy, cycling, enthusiastic repairer and gardener, fit and strong 44 years.

Tom McLoughlin tel. 02-9558 9551, 0410 558838,

Editor, owner www.SydneyAlternativeMedia.com/blog 27,500 readers per month

It's a snakes and ladders sort of existence this freelance web publishing thing. On the ladder: This last month was our highest readership at 27, 500 readers in January 09. Also we noticed via self referential google we are top of the namesakes ahead of a resort operator and a shlock Hollywood film director, and other assorted paddy cashed up New Yorkers.

We emailed the five local Green Party councilors yesterday with some news about this federation red brick pile with 8 little units, including our one room jobby, two windows, kitchenette:

Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 3:28 PM

Subject: Looks like the SAM home has to move by April 14th

Just got a call from the real estate agent saying the new owner Peter Tamvakeras has targeted my particular one room unit for renovation. So my two and a half years of good luck is running out. What a shame with a nice shed and garden here.

My guess he wants to get the best organiser out before he moves on to the other low income tenants. The frontage has a heritage listing apparently.

If you get any leads on cheap places, or decent share situations, even ratty ones that can be fixed up, provided they are fairly quiet and safe, please let me know.

I have a computer and 5 filing cabinets to house. This is the nerve centre of the www.sydneyalternativemedia.com/blog

with 27,500 readers last month.

Will keep you posted.

Yours truly, Tom McLoughlin,

tel. 0410 558838, 9558 9551

Our buddy the Vexatious Litigant has a good 2000 model stationwagon he can loan us for SAM's haulage. And two spunky friends, Japanese Geisha and Russian Doll needing a share. We hear there are ructions at Addison Road Community Centre which might be a window, our natural home, but siting there could be a big hassle! We have some good experience of handyman repairs and building management. Maybe we should buy a dump leveraging the Rudd Govt giveaways for first home owners and the Maverick Conveyancer? The Accountant might have some ideas how to.

Which reminds us better get the 07-08 tax return in after all, possibly via the friendly Tax Agent.

Heaven knows some kind guiding spirit has floated us every other time, possibly due to karma banked, (despite critics, and slick real estate agents desperate to keep a client by ringing every last dollar out of a tired old place.) Bring on the stimulus!

Posted by editor at 4:52 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 6 February 2009 6:30 AM EADT

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