What's a good Australian news source?

E. G. England has BBC. There's Al jazeera. They are balanced in my opinion,most of the time, and are reputable, not tabloid bs etc.

What's a source for Australian news, that are alike to them?

Where do you get your news?

Comments

  • +31

    reddit, abc

    • +8

      Reddit is a second hand (secondary) source, people who submit posts usually link to ABC and other news sites..

      • +22

        However, most Australian media seem to source their stories from Reddit, Imgur, etc. See it in social media, four days later it's front-page news.com.au

      • +2

        thats true, but it generally sorts out 'most' of the crap.

        The comments on /r/australia are terrible to read, but other subs are fine

        For example, /r/sydney is great for local news.

      • Yeah but only content anyone should give a shit about will make it to the front page, where as every other news source will spew out fluff all day to ensure that people keep using their source.

    • +9

      reddit

      /r/worldnews is basically a volatile mix of good and bad. Sometimes you can get penetrating insight and enlightenment. Sometimes you just get shit.

      /r/Australia is filled with Tony-hating left-wingers, according to /r/circlejerkaustralia. Whether it is because it is in fact filled with left-wingers or it only seems that way because Tony is actually objectively bad, is debatable. 99% of people agree however, that there is nothing to be gained from visiting /r/circlejerkaustralia.

      • +1

        i dont read the comments in /r/australia, just look at the "hot" list

        • I wouldn't touch Reddit with a ten foot pole

        • +6

          @mnermner: Yeah, Reddit and 4Chan are hacking groups right? :-p

      • +7

        /r/Australia is a joke. I consider myself pretty left wing but the way they go about somehow pretending they are not ridiculously biased is a joke. One word supporting anything Tony Abbott has ever done and you'll be laughed at, no matter the context.

        It goes for the rest of the website as well. Everyone seems to be on this weird elitist high horse that they are some sort of special tight-knit community with no flaws. Ugh, it hurts to browse comments on almost any sub.

        • +2

          That's what happens when the sites members are overweight 15 year olds with social anxiety disorders.

        • +4

          @Diji1: I tip my fedora at that statement, m'lady. T'is very true of le reddit community.

      • +3

        /r/circlejerkaustralia is the greatest site on planet earth

        • +2

          Almost as good as /r/straya

    • +7

      Abc is for children.

      … I'll let myself out.

    • /r/straya
      nuf said c*%t

    • Ozbargain forums - just post a topic youd like to know about in the form of a question, and youll get all sorts of reasonable and unreasonable answers that will degenerate into arguments of fact based on subjective opinions

  • +20

    ABC News for Australian news
    SBS for world news excluding sports
    Canberra Times for local news

  • +8

    For free Australian news I check ABC and The Guardian(tends to have a left-wing slant though).

    • +11

      The Guardian and the ABC are the obvious sources. They are pretty much unbiased, unless you think Tony Abbott is something other than a monkey in a suit. The Guardian is probably the best, since the ABC is avoiding covering things that would get the Libs on their back again.

      • +2

        Guardian seems the only one with reading

      • +22

        HAHAHA, you say your fav news source is unbiased……unless you don't hate Tony Abbott. Maybe the answer is to determine first what your personal bias is and then look for news sources that reaffirm your world view.

      • +2

        Whilst I do use the ABC as my main point of news information, they are anything but unbiased.

        • -4

          Whilst they do have a slight right wing bias as a result of Abbott's assault on them, and thus their failure to cover properly some important subjects, they are the closest to unbiased you're likely to find outside the Guardian (which has it's own green hobby horses to ride).

        • +5

          Whilst they do have a slight right wing bias

          haha

        • -3

          @sane: think you confused 'slight' with 'major'

    • +6

      Just a slant? A few years ago The Guardian was as balanced as a paper could be albeit with a bit of a left-wing slant. It has now gone full-left and regularly features material more concerned with taking down the patriarchy and pandering to SJWs than it is a source of informative news.

      Having said that, I don't know what a better alternative is. ABC or SBS?

      • +1

        That's because real journalists like Glenn Greenwald left the Guardian after the Snowden Docs and now started First Look Media - The Intercept.

        https://firstlook.org/theintercept/

  • +1

    OK so so far it sounds like definitely no smh or the Australian…

    Which I'm fine with. Smh seems very tabloidy, and the Australian seems very… Pro Australia and usa, not balanced.

  • +2

    Why waste your time with news? Don't you have something better to do?

    • +10

      What are you trying to say?

      I don't like it either.

      But I think it's important to have at least some knowledge of current affairs, even if you claim that the news is a waste of time, because it affects you one way or another.

      • +6

        No it doesn't. I decided to stop listening to news and is one of the best things I've done. It's there to earn money and they do it by feeding you crap to get you feeling fearful. Just look at the headlines and how they try to glorify the bad news. Need proof? When was the last time you listened to the news and told someone 'you know what I feel really good about the world'
        News focuses on BAD news because that's what gets the attention and therefore it sells.

        • +1

          It's not about feeling good or bad… It shouldn't be, in my opinion. It may be true that they usually focus on the negatives, and it's your choice in how you want to respond to them (seek out other sources, or live in ignorance).

          It is, or should be, about knowing what is going on in the neighbourhood, in Australia, and the world.

          Sure, you could ask neighbours… But you wouldn't, because it seems like if you don't read the news, you wouldn't care anyhow… But also if you do ask, you get their version and their thoughts with the news, which can be dangerous.

          If you get the news from the original sauce, you can form your own thoughts on it (and be an individual thinker). Thus it's important to have a good source of news… Thus this thread.

        • +6

          @inose:
          "If you get the news from the original sauce, you can form your own thoughts on it (and be an individual thinker). Thus it's important to have a good source of news… Thus this thread"

          Excellent comment

        • +1

          When was the last time you listened to the news and told someone 'you know what I feel really good about the world'

          I don't know how long you haven't been paying attention to the news for, but I always see/hear plenty of positive articles/reports. Especially in local news as they are always trying to feature inspiring stories or charity/community building groups/activities.

          Besides I'm sure plenty of that bad news will benefit at least some people by being broadcasted to the masses - if nothing else it raises awareness.

          I would compare the choice of not paying attention to the news, to that of the choice to not support vaccinations.

        • +3

          @Myrtacaea:
          "I would compare the choice of not paying attention to the news, to that of the choice to not support vaccinations"
          Worst comparison so far. Fail

      • I'm trying to say you are wasting your time watching an hour of news every night. Some people watch the early news, 6 o'clock news then switch over to the ABC news.

        Myself I spend 5 minutes on Google news to see if the world has ended and that's it. I even try not to click through to the news source either because I'm forever closing auto-starting videos and random animated ads.

        Once your mind is distracted by a news story that's not personally relevant to you, it sits in the back of your mind.

        We have enough distractions already.

        When there is a news channel with just good news stories, I'll switch back on. Oh yeah, there is plenty of good going on in the world, we just don't get to hear about it. I spend my 'news' time looking and reading about the good stuff in the world.

        You can live in ignorance of the positive stuff and I'll continue live in ignorance of negative stuff. Thanks.

    • +1

      Don't you have something better to do?

      Like eating frozen berries.

      • Nah I get told of crucial things like that from all the stressors like yourself . Thanks

        • "I would compare the choice of not paying attention to the news, to that of the choice to not support vaccinations"
          Worst comparison so far. Fail

          This guy is a prime example of such comparison right here:

          Nah I get told of crucial things like that from all the stressors like yourself . Thanks

          But if you still can't understand, I forgive you. Good day sir.

        • -1

          @Myrtacaea:
          I understand, you just picked a really bad example to try to prove your case. You're comparing not reading news to endangering your own child by refusing vaccination?!? Wow so dramatic! Haha

  • -3

    bbc

  • IMO Google News isn't such a bad aggregator.

    I find ABC very biased.

    In the end I avoid worrying about the news so much nowdays. It's all pretty much bad news anyway. Then tomorrow it's old news so what was even the point?

    Let me tell you what's going to be in the news in the future:

    • Elections and political bickering
    • Turbulence in financial markets
    • Wars and terrorist attacks (especially in Middle East)
    • Cyclones and earthquakes and floods
    • Corrupt officials and leaders exposed
    • Trivial affairs of famous people
    • Famous people dying
    • Plane crashes and ships sinking etc.

    See also: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/203656

    • +3

      Good point…

      But it's like, ignorance is bliss? Living under a rock…

      • +2

        "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun."

        http://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/1-9.htm

        • -1

          Mate, sorry but unless you've been living under a rock, you should know that bible verses doesn't go down well with modern folks. Religion is usually frowned upon, whether you, or I, like it or not.

          Also, that verse seems to say that nothing is new. OK, but it doesn't say that you should be ignorant about them.

        • +1

          @inose: 'ABC is very biased' chased by Bible quotations, hhmmm…. I don't wish to stereotype but he's really wearing it on his sleeve.

        • +2

          @Strand0410: OK I'll help out then, no bible verse from me…ABC is massively Left Wing biased!

        • +2

          @2ndeffort:
          If so, then so is reality. LNP Governments invariably hold inquiries into "ABC Left Wing Bias"[tm]. Find me one that was able to find any. It made headlines when the last one found one program during the past two yearscould have been implied to have not taken enough care to be balanced. It was not a "news" show.

        • @Strand0410:

          You're misquoting me. I said that "I find ABC very biased."

          With those two little words I was acknowledging that there are other views.

        • "and there is no new thing under the sun"

          Which is roughly 6000-10000 years old :)

        • @cryptos:

          Do you mean the sun or the statement?

        • +1

          Try post in a translation that people understand…

          "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun."

      • +4

        I remember a couple of years ago a survey in the US found people who watched no news were more informed on current events than people that watched Fox news.

      • people often associate 'ignorance is bliss' in a negative connotation. I think it's not a bad thing in some circumstances, such as this.

    • +18

      I also find the ABC too biased. They give equal time to a bunch of imbeciles and fools. Sometimes "balanced" ends up being giving an idiot a platform to mouth off.

    • Let me tell you what's going to be in the news in the future:

      Also: Branch of paedophile ring uncovered at a local community group that I've been sending my children to this entire time.
      I don't need to hear about this kind of depressing news that's got nothing to do with me.

  • SMH or ABC

    • +18

      I still read the SMH, but increasingly its standards are slipping. About 70% of the web homepage is now blogs and gossip. A sad end to a once good paper.
      The printed edition isn't much better.

      • It's a fun read, I'll give them that… But it feels so sensational. I don't care what this model did, why is she on the front page…

      • +1

        I knew they were starting to get desperate when even the ad quality was slipping too!!(eg. Sydney "MOM" has $5 weird wrinkle trick).

      • +2

        Not to mention the 4th grade grammar and spelling. I avoid it out of fear of having blood drip from my eyes.

  • +57

    OzBargain.com.au

    Seems to have the largest collection of know-it-alls in Australia.

    • +4

      Whirlpool "In The News" deserves that "praise".

      • +8

        Indeed. I found a benefit of using community forums news section, especially Whirlpool (as I found it better balanced than r/australia), is that you get a glimpse of news that people are interested to discuss, rather than what the media / publishers want us to see.

        • +1

          By the way, my comment on Whirlpool was said in a negative tone.

  • +22

    glad to see people not acknowledging The Age or News.com.au - both a treasure trove of shite and bogan rubbish.

    • +2

      My New Years resolution was to stop reading news.com.au and click-bait article - it's probably the been the best decision I've ever made.

  • I go to the Age. Come at me eklipze.

    • +2

      I find even the Age can be cringe worthy

  • +18

    Keep away from Daily Telegrapgh (Sydney) or Herald Sun (Melbourne) or should I say Newscorp in general. Only read them if you want to kill your brain cells!

    • +7

      The Daily Terrorgraph makes an excellent lining for my budgie cage.

    • well people who read Daily Telegraph$ (Sydney) or Herald $un (Melbourne) are brain dead hence it is true that they kill precious brain cells!

  • +2

    My homepage is:

    Http://Abc.net.au/news

    You pay your taxes to the ABC whether you like it or not, so you might as well read/view it!

    Does anyone know if they have a 24 hour Online team at Ultimo headquarters? How many people work there at night?

  • +3

    BBC balanced… I needed a good laugh today!

    • +1

      Well… Why not contribute, by enlightening us?

      • -1

        That was it. I love good jokes:)

        • Haha… Well then, have a good day!

      • +1

        Same problems as ABC - typically leftist perspectives but people don't realise. When you're exposed to a single news source, you begin to adopt their ideological slant as the normal centre

        • -1

          Yeah, right. I love it when people say "leftist" when talking about centrist ideology at best. When BBC's editorial staff starts talking about how capitalism needs to be pulled apart in favor of anarchy or mentions the word "bourgeois" as an insult then maybe we can say they're leftist.

          The problem with the BBC is that it's mostly terrorist-supporting propaganda, going so far as to use ISIS supporters in Britain as political analysts on the situation in the M.E. They literally have no limits in how far their bullshit goes, and they showed this a couple of years ago when they faked an entire documentary on Syria, with fake patients, fake doctors, and fake illnesses, in an attempt to drum up war with Syria when the issue was being discussed in UK Parliament. Once people realized how (profanity) stupid it was — such as using shaving cream as cheap make-up props for chemical burns — they pulled it off the air and continue to scan the internet for any illegally uploaded copies to flag.

  • Your friends never tell you the truth, listen to your enemies and you will never be caught unprepared!

  • Any good news app which sends alerts for breaking news? I don't want to do through the whole website but want to know what's going on.

  • +4

    I get all the hard hitting stories on OzBargain like EB Games treating their staff badly or more recently someone being horrifically charged a fee for breaking air travel baggage rules.

  • https://au.finance.yahoo.com/ - I think sourced from various parties but generally good content for finance related news

  • SMH although the online edition is a bit junky.
    ABC to balance Newscopse trashy tabloids.
    The Guardian (First Dog on the Moon is a riot)
    Crikey (though you have to pay)

    • +100 FDOTM — worth getting the email just for his work alone!

    • ABC to balance Newscopse trashy tabloids.

      Interesting…

  • Actually,I use the appygeek new aggregator app. You can choose which key words to follow. Mostly tech related(lots of men whining about tech), but also has surprising gems that I don't hear from elsewhere.

  • I read a bit of http://www.theage.com.au/ (Melbourne-centric) a bit of http://www.theguardian.com.au/ or http://www.abc.net.au/news/ (fairly balanced politically but limited amount of news coverage),
    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/ is very good, also has a good mobile app, albeit it is chiefly UK-based, or http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/australia/ which is similar but NYC-based, they are starting up an Australian version now.

    Though it is unashamedly right-wing, I actually like news.com.au just for the forums, as most of the comment sections are not strictly moderated and the site allows plenty of debate/discussion, unlike the fairfax sites which only allow very limited reader comments, and are heavily moderated.

    • +2

      I used to read Huffington Post years ago. Came back recently and I was shocked at the decline in quality. It was literally Buzzfeed-style clickbait trash journalism.

      Maybe that's just their 'Entertainment' section though, I haven't bothered to read HuffPo again.

  • +3

    The Guardian has been a newspaper since 1821. They are not infallible, but can seperate news from advertisements from comment - something the Murdoch press seem incapable of - an a quick to correct when they are in error, and not by tucking one small paragraph away down in the bowels of the site.
    I used to respect the Australian at the time when they were so assured of their World view that they would report the news straight, but that position has drifted into outright IPA shilling over the past few years…

  • I like "The Australian Independent Media Network" for politics and current affairs. They are bloggers, not journalists. They are mostly critical of Tony but often of left wing politicians as well.
    http://theaimn.com/
    For business and economics Macrobusiness is good. Most of the articles are free with some subscription only. The comments section contributors are well-informed and often funny.
    http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/

  • +5

    Not exactly Australian, but The Onion is pretty good.

  • +3

    I read the Guardian and The Conversation

  • There's no one good source. Everything has the power to influence you. Reddit comes pretty close, though

  • +4

    I get my news from all sources from the age/ abc …. And for some fun/rage I head to HS to read their Bull sh%# on the same issue… Lol at thei r comment sections hahah..

    Oh did I mention the most unbiased 'journalist'? Andrew Bolt.

  • +9

    It's very sad when u turn on CH 7/9/10 for their news coverage and its all bs stories about cats stuck in trees and minority bashing. No sense of world issues. Just 15 million sheep under control of the media

    • +3

      I miss the'chaser war on everything'for these channels to have fun.

    • +4

      Those channels' "news" programs aren't "news" really. They're carefully hand picked stories designed to win their respective channel's ratings war each evening.

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