This year has seen unprecedented scrutiny of Rupert Murdoch’s empire in Britain. But what about in Australia, where he owns 70 per cent of the press? In _Bad News_, Robert Manne investigates Murdoch’s lead political voice here, the _Australian_ newspaper, and how it shapes debate. Since 2002, under the editorship of Chris Mitchell, the _Australian_ has come to see itself as judge, jury and would-be executioner of leaders and policies. Is this a dangerous case of power without responsibility? In a series of devastating case studies, Manne examines the paper’s campaigns against the Rudd government and more recently the Greens, its climate change coverage and its ruthless pursuit of its enemies and critics. Manne also considers the standards of the paper and its influence more generally. This brilliant essay is part deep analysis and part vivid portrait of what happens when a newspaper goes rogue. “_The Australian_ sees itself not as a mere newspaper, but as a player in the game of national politics, calling upon the vast resources of the Murdoch empire and the millions of words it has available to it to try to make and unmake governments.” Robert Manne, _Bad News_ ‘A devastating expose.’ —_Crikey_ ‘The are many things to admire about Professor Robert Manne. He’s a prolific writer. He’s incredibly intelligent. And he’s brave.’ —Josh Rosner, _The Canberra Times_ ‘Fairness and integrity are under the microscope in this scathing analysis of Murdoch’s flagship.’ —Peter Craven, _Sydney Morning Herald_ ‘In our shrinking broadsheet market, it would be good if the healthiest specimen, and the only national one, recognised that we need more mutual respect in public debate if we are ever going to sort through the complex problems and opportunities that confront us.’ —Robert Phiddian, _Australian Book Review_